Portrait of serial killer a pleasant surprise

WHEN you consider he was accused of killing young men, cannibalism and necrophilia, Dahmer, the film about serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer is not as much of a gore fest as you might expect.

By cutting away from the action and showing the gruesome results, most of the violence and sexual assaults are hinted at, rather than shown. But this doesn’t mean the film isn’t horrific; when Dahmer cuddles up to his victims after he kills them, it is enough to make anyone squirm.

These scenes also serve to illustrate the loneliness Dahmer suffered from throughout his life.

The films begins with Dahmer (Jeremy Renner) as a young student struggling with his sexuality. He feels totally alone and unable to turn to the one influence in his life, his father (Bruce Davison). In his first sexual encounter, he invites a young wrestler, Lance (Matt Newton) home. He feels the only way to keep this young lover from leaving him, is by killing him.

Years later Dahmer is working at a factory, picking up boys by offering to buy them things. One victim, Khamtay (Dion Basco) almost gets away, but is released into Dahmer’s custody by police officers.

Drama, 18, ****