The film synopsis reads: Jeffrey Dahmer murdered 17 men and boys in the American Midwest, becoming one of history’s most infamous serial killers. This is the story before that story. Jeff (Disney Channel’s Ross Lynch) is an awkward teenager struggling to make it through high school with a family life in ruins. His bizarre behavior at school attracts unexpected friends, a group of band-nerds who form The Dahmer Fan Club, headed by Derf Backderf (Alex Wolff, “Patriots Day”). But as they near graduation, Jeff’s depravity continues to take hold, and he spirals further out of control. Based on Backderf’s critically acclaimed 2012 graphic novel and written for the screen and directed by Marc Meyers, My Friend Dahmer is the haunting, sad, funny, true story of Jeffrey Dahmer in high school.

The film is based on Backderf’s graphic novel about being friends with Dahmer in high school in the 1970s, before Dahmer became a serial killer. The filmed premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April (see “ 'Wonder Woman,' 'Jurassic World 2,' 'My Friend Dahmer'”).

The graphic novel was published by Abrams Comic Arts in 2012 (see “Dahmer, Clowes, GPK, Gonzo”). It was nominated for a Harvey Award, an Ignatz Award, a Rueben Award, and received an Angouleme Award. It was selected for the YALSA Top Ten Graphic Novels for Teen list in 2013 (see “Y.A.L.S.A. Top Ten Graphic Novels for Teens”).