Dahmer (2002)

Director: David Jacobson

Starring: Jeremmy Renner, Bruce Davison, Artel Great, Matt Newton, Dion Basco, Kate Williamson, Christina Payano, Tom'ya Bowden, Sean Blakemore

More info: IMDb

Tagline: The mind is a place of its own.

Plot:  A low-key glimpse into the life and crimes of one of history's most notorious serial killers, Dahmer doesn't concern itself with the gruesome nature of its protagonist's horrific crimes, but rather the troubled mind of the man who committed them. Focusing on the later years in the life of Jeffrey Dahmer (Renner), this film follows the troubled killer from department store to gay nightclub as he stalks his prey and battles his inner demons, all the while providing contrast to current events with flashbacks from the days during which madness finally gained an inescapable grip on his already unstable mind. From his days in a Milwaukee chocolate factory to nights spent haunting the streets in search of prey, the viewer peers cautiously over the edge of an abyss so deep and so far-stretching that most minds will never fathom the truly monstrous nature of Dahmer's heretofore unprecedented crime spree. As he befriends and brings home yet another potential victim in the form of an outgoing young man named Rodney (Kayaru), Dahmer is forced to confront his past as the two grow increasingly close over the course of the evening. Will Dahmer have a glimmer of humanity during a night of intimate and revealing conversation, or is it already too late for the unassuming young man who has fallen into the same trap as so many before him?

My rating: 8/10

Will I watch it again? Yes.

Nice!  Not only is it stylish (but not in a flashy way) it's got substance and it's such a different type of serial killer flick that it stands out.  I'm so glad I didn't pass on it based on the DVD cover.  On the surface it looks like your typical direct-to-video horror flick but it's far from it.  It's more of an art house serial killer picture and it's good.  I like the relaxed pace.  It's quiet but we're getting more of a psychological vibe from it.  There are kills but they're not done in a gory, exploitative way which was fitting for this film.  Renner was fantastic.  Highly recommended.