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5.5/10
797
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Based on the life of notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, who murdered 17 men and ate many of them before he was caught in 1991.Based on the life of notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, who murdered 17 men and ate many of them before he was caught in 1991.Based on the life of notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, who murdered 17 men and ate many of them before he was caught in 1991.
Andrew Christian English
- Anthony
- (as Andrew English)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
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This film is the most traumatising and painful horror film I have ever seen in my life. To know that this film is based on a true story and watching Jeffrey Dahmer(Carl Crew) brutally murder his victims is enough to bring a tear to my eye. I admit this was a low budget film with not the best dialogue, however it explained why Jeffrey Dahmer was a Psycotic maniac. As he was so selfishly/inwardly emotional his emotions and selfishness went so far deep into his brain that it resulted into him becoming a murderer. Every person that he lured back to his apartment, he was attracted to and had feelings for, and the reasons why he murdered them wasn't only for the thrill of killing them but because he couldn't cope with the fact of them leaving him. In the scene when he killed his first victim by bashing an object at the back of the guys head from what I noticed wasn't because he wanted to kill him but because he was devastated with the idea of the guy leaving him. It was from thereafter that he got use to the homicidal behaviour and made killing his hobby - for both evil and emotional reasons.
The scene when he was talking while crying on the phone with his mother and telling her how much he loved her and the love he showed to his grandmother and how he didn't want to move out of her house did show that he did have love in his heart. One scene that I found quite spooky and strange was when a priest overheard Jeffrey in a pub inviting a guy back to his apartment and then phoned Jeffrey up in a phone booth within the pub so that the guy would lose patience and change his mind on going home with Jeffrey. When the guy left the pub, the priest then hung up the phone and was was laughing at Jeffrey. I also found that Carl Crew played a remarkable acting performance as the role of Jeffrey Dahmer. His evil and cold blooded facial expressions before he massacred his victims were so real, I was shivering in my seat. His facial expressions reminded me of the way Vincent D'onofrio (Private Pyle/Leonard) in the film 'Full Metal Jacket' looked just before he gunned-down the General in the toilet barracks.
If your an emotional person I wouldn't recommend you to watch this film but if your not, than go ahead and watch it.
The scene when he was talking while crying on the phone with his mother and telling her how much he loved her and the love he showed to his grandmother and how he didn't want to move out of her house did show that he did have love in his heart. One scene that I found quite spooky and strange was when a priest overheard Jeffrey in a pub inviting a guy back to his apartment and then phoned Jeffrey up in a phone booth within the pub so that the guy would lose patience and change his mind on going home with Jeffrey. When the guy left the pub, the priest then hung up the phone and was was laughing at Jeffrey. I also found that Carl Crew played a remarkable acting performance as the role of Jeffrey Dahmer. His evil and cold blooded facial expressions before he massacred his victims were so real, I was shivering in my seat. His facial expressions reminded me of the way Vincent D'onofrio (Private Pyle/Leonard) in the film 'Full Metal Jacket' looked just before he gunned-down the General in the toilet barracks.
If your an emotional person I wouldn't recommend you to watch this film but if your not, than go ahead and watch it.
Considering the type of films one usually comes across produced on this low of a budget, Dahmer "The Secret Life", is suprisingly well made. Despite it's shortcomings;tedious scripting and dialouge, sub-par cinematography, and repetative scene structure-(i.e. two or three run-throughs of Dahmer's modus operendii would have been more than sufficient.) definate high points do shine through. Carl Crew's acting job held my interest till the end. Special make-up effects were better than I've seen on alot of "Big Budget" movies. The producers seem to have spent most of the limited funds where it counts most anyway. Overall, I'd rate this movie with three out of a possible four stars.
I bought this used and only payed $1.99 for it. That said, it's worth that kind of money. It's pretty decent for an extreme-low-budget film, but it could have been much better. To me, Carl Crew wasn't believable as Jeffrey Dahmer. He wasn't the right physical type, nor did he speak with Dahmer's distinctive nasal accent. And frankly, the constant "I should have stayed with God" diatribe becomes annoying after a while.
For a more realistic and subdued look at Dahmer's life, see the new film "Dahmer" with Jeremy Renner. Renner's performance as Jeffrey is so dead-on, it's scary. And while it doesn't get into as many of Jeffrey's killings, everyone should already know the basic story by now.
Bottom Line: If you can see this movie cheap, it's worth a look. But the 2002 movie is far superior, in my opinion.
For a more realistic and subdued look at Dahmer's life, see the new film "Dahmer" with Jeremy Renner. Renner's performance as Jeffrey is so dead-on, it's scary. And while it doesn't get into as many of Jeffrey's killings, everyone should already know the basic story by now.
Bottom Line: If you can see this movie cheap, it's worth a look. But the 2002 movie is far superior, in my opinion.
The Secret Life of Jeffrey Dahmer is a necessary movie. Carl Crew's acting is excellent, especially under the circumstances of a film made from documentary information, about this dull boy, who really has no life at all (within himself, at least). Carl gives the whole as extremely factual, near to the bone but not over-gory, and with emotion too. Although Jeff was known for not being the coolest of guys, and Carl portrayed Jeff in this film to be a teeny bit hip in parts - this was really pretty irrelevant. What was relevant was the facts of Jeff's life, purely! His childhood included, the whole of his years of killing, and the abandonment Jeff felt so often..unbias, nothing blamed. And if anyone was to think that Carl Crew may have 'strange notions' to do the film, he has just gone one step further than those who have written the Dahmer (et al) books, who have gone just one step further than all of the millions of people in the world who study criminology, psychology law etc etc etc. Excellent Film.
This movie was fantastic and boy was it a powerful look at Dahmer. I liked it much better then the newer movie that came out this year. What ever happened to Carl Crew who plays Dahmer in this film? Not only is he damn good looking but he was a great actor. It's sad he did not have a longer and more exciting career in the business,especially when you consider the many undeserving talentless actors out there going strong. Anyway,the film is very entertaining,Carl Crew is a breath of fresh air to watch and the plot moves along great. See the movie. I only wish the DVD was better quality,but it's better then nothing.
Did you know
- TriviaThis film was made in secret.
- Quotes
Jeffrey Dahmer: So i had this idea... if i would to preserve a part of them. A part of the person, like the skull. Maybe that wouldn't be such a waste. They would be with me, all the time. Like a real friend who was... always there.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Zombies: A Living History (2011)
- SoundtracksDahmer's Theme
Written and Performed by David R. Bowen
- How long is The Secret Life: Jeffrey Dahmer?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Country of origin
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- Also known as
- The Secret Life: Jeffrey Dahmer
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime
- 1h 39m(99 min)
- Color
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