: The movie began production in January 1992—before Dahmer’s trial had even concluded—and was filmed secretly in various California locations, including Burbank, Malibu, and Ventura.
: The story is told entirely from Dahmer's perspective, tracking 14 years of his life, starting from his discharge from the military and his move into his grandmother's house. The Secret Life: Jeffrey Dahmer
: Writer and star Carl Crew reportedly spent over 1,000 hours researching newspaper clippings and court transcripts to build the screenplay. : The movie began production in January 1992—before
: Crew's performance is often described as "creepy" and "underrated". He uses a flat, monotone voice-over that critics noted gives the film a gritty, almost snuff-like aesthetic. : Crew's performance is often described as "creepy"
The film uses a distinctive, episodic structure narrated by Dahmer himself.
While the film prides itself on factual research, it has been described as an "exploitation film in the purest sense".
: Many viewers describe the film as having a "90s product" feel, with low-budget production values and a synth-heavy score that adds to its disturbing, voyeuristic tone. Accuracy vs. Exploitation