Featured Image Credit: Netflix/Everett Collection Inc/Alamy Stock Photo
Topics: Netflix, Crime, Jeffrey Dahmer, You
Emily Brown
Topics: Netflix, Crime, Jeffrey Dahmer, You
You star Penn Badgley has been praised after he called out Netflix for making Jeffrey Dahmer attractive in the chilling crime drama about the serial killer.
I know what you're thinking - Badgley literally plays a serial killer you're 'meant to fall in love with' in You. The actor admits it himself, but that didn't stop him blaming Netflix for Evan Peters' portrayal of Dahmer in Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.
Peters has been widely praised for the performance he put on in the 10-part series released last year, even earning the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Television Movie.
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However, the show has also been criticised for making the serial killer, who murdered 17 people in the 70s, 80s and 90s, too attractive to audiences.
Badgley shared his own thoughts on the matter during an interview with Entertainment Tonight, when he was asked what his message would be to people finding themselves attractive to serial killers.
He called to mind a few real and fictional killers who have been in the spotlight recently, starting with his own character Joe - or Jonathan, as he's known now.
"You need to look at that inside. Now, to be fair, with our show you're meant to fall in love with him. That's on us. Ted Bundy [played by Zac Efron in 2019], that's on you. Jeffrey Dahmer, that's on... that's on Netflix.
"That is squarely on the shoulders of Netflix."
The actor received a lot of support from agreeing viewers, with one commenting: "he hit the nail on the head there lol."
"YESS CALL THEM OUT!!," wrote another, while a third commented: "I love this man more and more every time he speaks."
Badgley's comments come after the mother of one of Dahmer's victims slammed the decision to create a series about his crimes, telling TMZ: "There's a lot of sick people around the world, and people winning acting roles from playing killers keeps the obsession going and this makes sick people thrive on the fame.
"It's a shame that people can take our tragedy and make money," she continued. "The victims never saw a cent. We go through these emotions every day."
Badgley admitted it was 'weird' that people were attracted to the people who had caused so much pain and harm, but was evidently reluctant to get on a soap box as he said his thoughts on the matter were 'long'.
Some fans made clear they were more than willing to stick around and listen, but Badgley evidently isn't going to spill just yet.
UNILAD has reached out to Netflix for comment.