With the recent release of the hit show, “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” the case and the horrifying details of the crimes committed by the infamous serial killer, Jeffrey Dahmer, have gained much attention.

As a true crime fanatic, I love documentary shows that tell the factual evidence of cases. But the contents of “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” are not how true crime should be displayed.

Making true events as horrific as the Dahmer case into a TV show solely for entertainment takes away from the reality of this gruesome case and the victims that suffered at Dahmer’s hand. The case becomes a fun fictional TV show with characters that we do not associate with real people that had lives, families and futures.

I usually have a strong stomach when it comes to gore, but the twisted scenes shown throughout the episodes are one of the first times I became nauseous watching true crime. Even though the events depicted in the show were real, showing the horrific crimes committed by Dahmer felt unnecessary and was used purely for shock value.

The only thing I could think of while watching this show was how the victims’ families must feel, watching their loved ones being tortured, beaten and killed. 

I investigated what occurred behind the scenes of making “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” to see if the families were given any compensation or even knowledge of the show before the release. Unfortunately, all events during the Dahmer case were of public record, so nothing had to be given to the victims’ families. 

Errol Lindsey, one of Dahmer’s victims, had family members speak on his behalf. Lindsey’s cousin, Eric Perry, described the show as a cruel punishment for the family and explained how the show forces the family to relive the grief Dahmer put them through. 

The show even recreated Lindsey’s sister having an emotional breakdown in court, lunging at Dahmer, without her consent. 

There is a way that true crime needs to be displayed, and “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” just isn’t it. Although I do like how the show brought attention to the systemic racism present in the police force during the time Dahmer was active, there is a better way to relay this case that isn’t in the form of a Netflix show that can be listed right next to Stranger Things.