‘American Horror Story’ Season 13 Faces Backlash Over Jeffrey Dahmer Scene

‘American Horror Story’ has established itself by blending fan-favorite characters with notorious real-life figures. This approach has led to some of the series’ most memorable moments, but it has also sparked criticism, especially when real individuals are involved.

The thirteenth season, titled ‘AHS: 13,’ debuted on September 24 on FX and Hulu, featuring three episodes on its opening night. This season consists of 13 half-hour episodes, with the second batch of three following the first. Ryan Murphy has brought back a stellar cast, including Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, Leslie Grossman, and Jessica Lange.

However, one character’s return has ignited a significant debate. The new season has provoked strong reactions from viewers regarding its depiction of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Many have expressed that the show lacks respect for the victims, as highlighted in viewer comments.

Seth Gabel portrays Dahmer, a role he previously played in two episodes of ‘Hotel’ nearly a decade ago. Episode 6, titled ‘The Return of Devil’s Night,’ begins with Dahmer being picked up by James Patrick March, played by Peters. In a Waymo, the two characters discuss modern technology and how apps facilitate their predatory behavior, followed by a conversation about their murderous desires.

The scene that has drawn the most ire depicts Dahmer using a dating app reminiscent of Grindr, which caters to gay and bisexual men. Critics argue that this portrayal is disrespectful, emphasizing that Dahmer was a real person who murdered 17 men and boys from 1978 to 1991, many of whom were Black or from other marginalized communities.

One critic articulated the concern clearly, stating that the gag trivializes a real man’s actual methods for hunting victims, suggesting the show hasn’t earned the right to make light of such a serious subject. This review also noted that a separate joke involving a smartphone and a historical killer seemed harmless by comparison.

This isn’t the first time Murphy’s portrayal of Dahmer has faced scrutiny. His Netflix series ‘Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,’ featuring Peters as the killer, also received backlash upon its release. Peters’ performance earned him a Golden Globe and an Emmy nomination.

Gabel has shared his thoughts on the challenge of reprising the role. He told Entertainment Weekly that he felt initially apprehensive, having portrayed a satirical version while Peters took on a more realistic portrayal. He described playing Dahmer as incredibly dark and mentioned that he had researched the character’s history for ‘Hotel’ and was reluctant to revisit that for this season.

In the context of the scene, Gabel described his interpretation as a self-indulgent, depressed figure, aligning with the season’s overall tone. The show presents the Devil’s Night killers as monstrous characters recruited to attack the witches at Miss Robichaux’s Academy, a tone that hasn’t resonated well with every viewer.

New promo for next week’s episodes of “American Horror Story: 13.” #AHS13 pic.twitter.com/lhb3hDkjXQ

— The AHS Zone (@AHSZone) October 2, 2026

With more episodes scheduled to air before the season finale on October 29, discussions about how horror fiction should address real victims are likely to persist. Whether the show will respond to this feedback or continue on its current path remains uncertain.

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