Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes

After the more than excellent dramatization of the Dahmer murders in Netflix' release in september 2022 - which I rated with an exceptional 9 stars - any follow-up documentary will have a difficult time to even come close to the experience of that dramatization.

The documentary makers however were able to get not only on board the prosecutor and defense attorney, but also the more than renowned psychiatrist dr. Park Dietz. The latter one is not only famous for his link with the Behavioral Science Unit of the FBI, but also for his interviews with several serial killers. Apart from Dahmer, he is known for his very excellent interview of the "iceman killer": i.e. Richard Kuklinski. I have seen those interviews several times already.

What makes this documentary also interesting, is that it explains some things that I couldn't explain after watchting the dramatization of the Dahmer murders. It for instance explains why Dahmer decided to buy and use yellow contact lenses.

Overall, I think this documentary may come a little too soon after the release of the Dahmer show. Many events are still so fresh in my memory that the documentary is in part just a repeat of events. Instead of two weeks, I would have preferred this documentary to be released at least one year after the drama show was released. Watching the documentary in one year would surely trigger me to again watch (part of) the drama show.

Overall, I still think this documentary deserves 6.8/10, which I round up to a 7 star IMBd rating. This documentary would have scored way better if they had included more of dr. Park Dietz.

I have been fascinated yet horrified when I first read about Dahmer crimes back in 2016 I guess. I had no clue what his standing was amongst all serial killers. Then like in last 3 years I have watched pretty much whats available on the internet about him including the 10 part series just released on Netflix. But what this 3 part docuseries has to offer is something that would make you wonder even more, what actually went Dahmers mind. TBH I felt probably a 0.0001% sympathy for him.. But once I heard his actual confessions here with his defense attorney, I was shocked to no end. I mean this takes everything else you would have seen or read about. The shocking details and his chemistry with his young defense attorney. I mean how could they even represent this guy. The prosecution angle is something very very interesting. Theres toness of stuff out there about Dahmer, But this one is the most realistic, as it contains the words of man himself during or around his trial. I lost whatever sympathy I had when I heard about those drillings.

Netflix has done the same thing it did the Ted Bundy duo. They released 'Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile' (2019 with Lily Colin's & Zac Efron), and a week later released 'Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes'. The latter being far superior to the former. If I knew 'Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes' was being released, I wouldn't have watched 'Dahmer - Monster'.

These confessional documentary type mini series are full of witness accounts, conversations with his defence attorney, the people who knew the victims & were the last people to see them before Dahmer took their life. This is the stuff that makes a series interesting, news report clips, policemen on the record saying they stand by the actions of those on duty at the time.

Everything is laid out in a very logical fashion. It made things clear which had been muddied by the 'Dahmer - Monster' dramatisation. No recreation. You HEAR the phone call made by the neighbour asking about the 14 year old boy who was found stumbling out the apartment building, no clothes on, incoherent. You HEAR the officer inform her it had "been dealt with" & the boy had been returned to his boyfriend's (Dahmer's) apartment.

The final episode closes off with individual testimony that is deeply respectful to the victims. Their friends, their neighbours talk about the kind souls who were taken by Dahmer. Victim names are repeated, displayed at the end.

The series ended with my thoughts reverent for everyone who had been forever changed by the hurt caused by Dahmer that had spread like a disease in that community. I wish I could erase that Netflix dramatisation from my mind, by comparison it is camp, jumbled and very distanced from the facts.

Truly touching and devastating tale about the human monstrosity. It gives us a look into the mind and life of Jeffrey Dahmer, even though they could have done a much deeper dive into the psychology of it all. Some things were poorly explained, including his potential diagnosis and the cannibalism aspect. It was interesting to hear different perspectives from various people about the story. Labelling these tapes as "unheard" was surprising because Dahmer didn't say anything particularly new or unknown to the public. I'd say it's a very well-edited and thought-provoking series that's mostly skilfully constructed, but it lacks depth in some parts.

Excellent review of the horrific events unfolding. Even though i liked the series DAHMER now i understand some of the backlash about glorification.

In some way after seeing CWaK seems the series feel like My Little Pony........

The events are unfolding are told in an excellent way. And this is all about the terror this man committed and the sick**** that he was. There are many more details here then in the series. I felt Dread throughout all the way, and sometimes i really got nauxious. Also had a few moments of total goosbumps.

The, pace, narrative, interviews, audio score, cinematography, details and time line are top notch 10 stars here.

Also they really made me feel much more attached for the victims and made me see Dahmer as much more of a monster that he was.

Stuff of nightmares right here..

Excellent documentary making though.