My Friend Dahmer

In 1974, a young Jeffrey Dahmer lives a seemingly normal life in Bath, Ohio, surrounded by his family - his parents, Lionel and Joyce, and younger brother Dave. However, his childhood is overshadowed by an intense curiosity that begins to evolve into a troubling obsession.

As Jeffrey rides the school bus, he becomes fixated on a jogger that he frequently observes from the window. This unrelenting fixation marks the beginning of his darker inclinations, as he fantasizes about the individual while remaining quiet about his obsession.

In an effort to indulge his curiosity about anatomy, Jeffrey begins a disconcerting hobby of collecting deceased animals. With the help of chemicals provided by his father, he starts dissecting them, which raises eyebrows but also satisfies his unusual interests.

By 1978, Lionel Dahmer becomes increasingly frustrated with Jeffrey's strange behavior and demands that he makes friends at school. Facing social pressures, Jeffrey attempts to fit in but instead becomes the target of ridicule for his eccentric conduct.

Jeffrey's quirky personality attracts a group of friends, led by John 'Derf' Backderf, who form the 'Dahmer Fan Club'. They engage in various pranks and comedic antics, often making Jeffrey the butt of their jokes while inadvertently documenting his life.

As Joyce Dahmer's mental health declines, tensions rise in the Dahmer household, resulting in frequent domestic disputes. Jeffrey finds himself increasingly distressed by the chaos, prompting him to seek solace in drinking and venting frustrations on animals.

In a desperate attempt to connect with the jogger-turned-physician, Dr. Matthews, Jeffrey fakes an illness to gain an appointment. During their meeting, Jeffrey’s unsettling behavior alarms Dr. Matthews, marking a significant turn in Jeffrey's darker tendencies.

Following the escalating family conflict, Lionel leaves the household, and Joyce follows suit, moving to Wisconsin. This double abandonment leads to profound loneliness for Jeffrey, who feels increasingly estranged from both family and friends.

Derf witnesses a disturbing scene as Jeffrey emerges from the shadows, fingers stained with blood. Attempting to reconnect, Derf offers Jeffrey a ride home, but he finds himself increasingly uneasy as he learns of Jeffrey's grim reality.

Two weeks later, Jeffrey picks up hitchhiker Steven Hicks, whose momentary decision leads to his tragic fate. This encounter marks a pivotal and dark chapter in Jeffrey's life, indicating the horrors that are about to unfold.

As the credits roll, viewers learn chilling details about Steven Hicks, who vanished without a trace after his confrontation with Jeffrey. This event foreshadows the inevitable unraveling of Jeffrey's sinister acts and the chaos that follows.

Years later, in 1991, Jeffrey Dahmer ultimately confesses to the grisly murders of 17 men, shocking the nation. This confession reveals the extent of his depravity and the years of darkness that culminated in heinous actions.