My Friend Dahmer *** (2017, Ross Lynch, Alex Wolff, Anne Heche, Dallas Roberts, Vincent Kartheiser) – Movie Review

Very creepy – a true horror story. The tricky to pull off mix of realism and black comedy really works. The acting helps a lot to keep it real and powerful.

Co-writer/ director Marc Meyers’s chilling biographical drama My Friend Dahmer (2017) about the making of a serial killer is very creepy indeed – a true horror story.

Based on the acclaimed graphic novel My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf, it tells the story of the early years and the coming of age of an infamous Seventies serial killer, showing the weird young Jeffrey Dahmer relishing his own strange behaviour as he struggles to fit in at home or belong in high school. Three boys appear to befriend him, but are false friends, making things so much worse.

The mix of realism and black comedy is tricky to pull off but really works. The script is clever and insightful, but the acting helps a lot to keep the film real and powerful.

Ross Lynch as Dahmer, Alex Wolff as his bad friend Derf Backderf, as well as Anne Heche and Dallas Roberts as the weird mom and dad are all outstanding, and Vincent Kartheiser has a brief effective cameo as Dr Matthews.

Obviously, it is strong material with disturbing images, strong language, teen drug use, drinking and sexual content, and brief nudity.

My Friend Dahmer is directed by Marc Meyers, is written by Marc Meyers and Derf [John] Backderf, runs 107 minutes, is made by Ibid Filmworks, Aperture Entertainment, Attic Light Films, distributed by Altitude Film Entertainment (UK) and FilmRise (US),  shot by Daniel Katz, produced by Mike Novogratz and Giorgio Angelini, scored by Andrew Hollander, and designed by Jennifer Klide.

Marc Meyers is also known for Approaching Union Square (2006), Harvest (2010) and How He Fell in Love (2015).

© Derek Winnert 2018 Movie Review

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