Raising Jeffrey Dahmer (2006) Movie Review

“Raising Jeffrey Dahmer” takes a slightly different approach to depicting the life and crimes of the infamous American serial killer, focusing not on the maniac himself, but on his parents, in particular his father. Through this, first time director Rich Ambler is able not only to chart Dahmer’s chilling development, but more importantly to ask questions as to what might have turned him into a killer, and why those closest to him did not realise what he was doing. Originally shot back in 2006, the film is now receiving a region 2 release via Revolver Entertainment on a barebones DVD without extras.

The film largely revolves around Jeffrey’s father Lionel (Scott Cordes, also in the likes of “Suspension” and “Saving Grace B. Jones”) and his second wife Sheri (Cathy Barnett), who are forced to look to themselves after his horrific crimes are revealed. As the police (led by exploitation legend and recent “Kill Bill” star Bo Svenson) question them and the media swarm outside their house, memories come flooding back as they gradually come to recognise what were warning signs of Jeffrey’s descent into homicidal madness.

In providing a new take on an already exhaustively covered subject, “Raising Jeffrey Dahmer” certainly earns marks for effort. The idea of seeing his nefarious deeds through the eyes of his parents is a fascinating one, and Ambler does a good job of managing to convince the viewer that although not oblivious to Jeffrey’s many problems, they were genuinely unaware of the extent of his acts. This is the key to the film, as it allows for themes of guilt and responsibility to come to the fore, especially through Lionel, whose dark journey of self-reflection drives the narrative. Although a little manipulative in places the film works well on this level, and makes for engaging viewing despite the fact that it features little in the way of traditional horror or scare scenes – probably just as well, as the insertion of frights and gore would have distracted from the stark sense of realism and the gloomy atmosphere. Ambler makes good use of television footage and talk shows to nicely capture the ghoulish obsession of the media with the case, though thankfully without overplaying his hand.

Unfortunately, when it comes to offering up any reasons for Jeffrey’s perversions and butchery, the film is not as successful. Whilst he is onscreen for most of the running time, whether in the present or in flashbacks, he remains distant and frustratingly sketchy. Indeed, although Ambler includes scenes from his childhood and teenage years, he never makes a concerted effort to really explore the question as to what inspired his evil actions. As such, the film feels a little lightweight, and lacking the kind of challenging psychological content needed to provide a truly comprehensive chronicle.

Still, there is enough meat here to hold the interest, and “Raising Jeffrey Dahmer” is well made and reasonably ambitious, enough so to entertain serial killer aficionados, if perhaps not casual genre fans. Coming across more as a companion piece, the film would sit well on a double bill with David Jacobson’s somewhat more visceral 2002 outing “Dahmer”.

Rich Ambler (director) / Wood Dickinson, Christopher Ryan (screenplay)
CAST: Bo Svenson … Detective Amos
Rusty Sneary … Jeff
Scott Cordes … Lionel
Cathy Barnett … Shari
Jeannine Hutchings … Catherine
Granvile O’Neal … Detective
Luke Adams … Young Jeff / Young Lionel