Penn Badgley had some stern words for Netflix for making Jeffrey Dahmer attractive to viewers in their hit show, Dahmer.
Now, when Netflix initially released Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, they were not expecting fans to fantasize over a sadistic killer but in true internet fashion, some people took to Twitter to reveal their attraction to the Milwaukee Monster.
Many were questioning whether it was the actor Evan Peters that brought out the reaction, or if it was just the twisted nature of some individuals, but it's safe to say the issue was extremely concerning.
"Jeffrey Dahmer drugged, molested, tortured, killed, raped, and dismembered mostly gay men of color. I understand that Evan Peters [is] good looking but stop sexualizing one of the most disgusting serial killers in America's history. He was a deranged monster, not a sex symbol. Stop," commented one user.
This seems to be a recurring theme with a lot of Netflix's productions as we also saw evidence of this when the streaming platform released Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile starring Zac Efron, which told the story of Ted Bundy and how he became one of America's most notorious killers.
We're also seeing a similar reaction to You's very own Joe Goldberg, portrayed by Penn Badgley.
While the 36-year-old actor has slammed people in the past for finding Goldberg attractive, it hasn't stopped people from reigniting that conversation in the wake of the latest season.
The former Gossip Girl star has criticized the reaction yet again, also calling out Netflix for their part in the alleged glamorization of serial killers.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, he had some words for those fans who found themselves attracted to Goldberg, as well as other notorious serial killers such as Dahmer.
"What's your message to people who are finding themselves attracted to serial killers?", asked the interviewer.
"Yeah, you need to look at that inside," the actor started. "Now to be fair, with our show, you're meant to fall in love with him. That's on us."
However, the star went on to say that people who are thirsting over real-life murderers like Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer can only blame themselves... and possibly Netflix.
"Ted Bundy, that's on you. Jeffrey Dahmer, that's on you. That is on Netflix. That is squarely on the shoulders of Netflix.
"I don't have answers at this point - I do but they're long and..." he adds, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, it's weird man."
And it seems as though others agreed.
"[People] who find serial killers attractive like jeffrey dahmer and ted bundy are gross. Like i get it if you can’t help finding them good looking, but romanticizing them? That’s so fucking gross. Imagine how the family of the victims must feel."
But not everyone was quite on board with the actor's comments, alluding to his hypocrisy.
"@PennBadgley saying Netflix made Dahmer attractive and charming is laughable. That’s who Dahmer was, Netflix didn’t create who he was. Yet Penn plays an attractive, stalker and serial killer on You. Don’t take money from @netflix if you’re so disturbed by serial killers," one user rebuked.
Either way, let's all agree on one thing: serial killers should not be romaticized no matter how "attractive" you find them.
