“...disturbingly compelling and original…” ~ Variety
Films We Like is pleased to announce the upcoming theatrical release of the MY FRIEND DAHMER, written and directed by Marc Meyers and based on the graphic novel by John "Derf" Backderf, about the haunting, sad, funny, true story of Jeffrey Dahmer in high school.
Jeffrey Dahmer murdered seventeen men and boys in the Midwest United States between 1978 and 1991 before being captured and incarcerated. This is the story before that story. Jeff Dahmer (Ross Lynch, Disney Channel’s Austin & Ally) is an awkward teenager who collects roadkill. It’s the end of his junior year and he’s practically invisible.
His family life (Anne Heche as Joyce Dahmer) is coming undone. He fixates on a neighbourhood jogger (Vincent Kartheiser, Mad Men) who routinely passes by his house. By the start of senior year, he acts out, throwing epileptic-like fits in the halls. His goofball antics win over a group of band-nerds who form The Dahmer Fan Club headed by Derf Backderf (Alex Wolff, Nickelodeon’s The Naked Brothers Band). This camaraderie can’t mask his growing depravity.
Approaching graduation Jeff spirals further out of control. He retreats into alcohol. He stalks the jogger. He devolves into dissecting small animals, then a neighbour’s dog. We fear one of his friends is next.
About Films We Like Founded by award-winning documentary filmmaker Ron Mann (Grass, Comic Book Confidential, Altman) Films We Like is a boutique distributor of documentary, independent, and international films in Canada. Recent releases include Mermaids, Citizen Jane: Battle for the City, and Restless Creature: Wendy Whelan.
Media contact: Mallory Andrews