Parents' Guide to Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes

Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes TV Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

Polly Conway By Polly Conway , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

Serial killer docu is detailed, focuses on sexual violence.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 14+

Based on 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

CONVERSATIONS WITH A KILLER: THE JEFFREY DAHMER TAPES focuses on the dozens of hours of recorded conversation the serial killer had with defense attorneys, local Milwaukee journalists, and police detectives. The participants also recount their experiences with Dahmer and his crimes. Archival footage includes video and photography from the scene of the crime, Dahmer's apartment, and clips from his childhood.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 2 ):
Kids say : Not yet rated

Hearing Dahmer's confessions in his own voice and words is disturbing but also feels somewhat mundane here. Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes is heavy on talking heads, all of whom matter-of-factly relate their knowledge of the case. It's interesting to see the effect of Dahmer's story in a pre-social media world; news reports were the main way information was disseminated. Dahmer himself speaks openly and frankly about his crimes, which he readily confessed to in 1991. True crime completists may find this must-see viewing, while others may find it salacious and unnecessary.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the draw of documentaries like this one. What is interesting about true crime?

  • Do you think this series respects the victims of Jeffrey Dahmer? Why, or why not?

TV Details

  • Premiere date : October 7, 2022
  • Network : Netflix
  • Genre : Reality TV
  • TV rating : TV-MA
  • Last updated : November 1, 2022

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by

Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes TV Poster Image

What to Watch Next

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate