Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and more Netflix shows that shouldn’t have been renewed in 2022
As we quickly approach the end of December, we’ve started to look back at all of the Netflix shows that were renewed this year. While some shows we were glad to see be renewed, others we felt should’ve ended their run in 2022. Do you want to know our thoughts on which Netflix shows we believe shouldn’t have been renewed in 2022? If so, all you have to do is continue reading!
This year, we saw the return of many popular Netflix shows such as Ozark, Bridgerton, Sweet Magnolias, Grace and Frankie, Locke and Key, Stranger Things, The Umbrella Academy etc. Sadly, some of the returning shows were in their final seasons, so we had to bid many of them adieu.
However, we did see many Netflix shows receive renewals. I’m pretty sure tons of fans were happy to learn that Stranger Things was renewed for a fifth and final season. Also, shows like Sweet Magnolias, Love is Blind, Vikings: Valhalla, Emily in Paris, Black Mirror, The Umbrella Academy and Never Have I Ever were handed additional installments.
But there are three Netflix shows the streamer renewed this year that we believe shouldn’t have been given additional seasons. We shared the titles of those shows below.
Netflix shows that shouldn’t have been renewed in 2022
Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Out of all the Netflix shows on our list, we feel the most strongly about Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. Honestly, this show should have never been made. Let’s start there first. Everyone already knows about Jeffrey Dahmer. He’s one of the most notorious serial killers in American history. There have already been shows, movies, books, podcasts, and documentaries made about him. So why did we need another one, especially a show trying to paint Dahmer in somewhat of a good light and romanticize him?
It’s such a disservice to the victims and the families of the victims who have to relive the painful memories once again. It’s also very insensitive. Obviously, we know it’s a money thing. True-crime movies and shows typically bring in a lot of viewers, especially if it’s about a well-known serial killer. But after tons of different films and shows, enough is enough.
What angers us even more is the fact that the creators (Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan) promoted Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story as a series also focusing on the victims’ point of view. If you watched the true-crime series, you’d know that the show barely focuses on the victims. Instead, it’s all centered around Dahmer’s childhood and how he became an infamous serial killer. There’s only one episode focused on one of the victims (Tony Hughes), and that’s episode 6.
And then, when a family member of one of the victims came out and said that the creators never contacted her and asked how she felt about the series being made, that rubbed us in the wrong way big-time. So, to sum up everything we just said, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story should’ve never got the green light from Netflix, and it definitely shouldn’t have been renewed for two additional seasons. We don’t care how popular this distasteful series is or how many views it brought in.
Elite
I’m sorry, Elite fans, but the teen series should’ve ended seasons ago, in our opinion. Maybe after season 3, when most of the original cast left. Nothing about the show is fresh anymore. The storylines are boring, the mystery of each season doesn’t have viewers eager to find out the answer, and there’s too much over-sexualization of the teens. I mean, what happened to the plot? I thought I was watching a teen series, not 365 Days.
Unfortunately, Elite has lost what made the show so enjoyable in the first place. The new characters are uninteresting and have no real depth. Additionally, the plot isn’t gripping enough to keep you tuned in.
Since Elite brings in many viewers, I guess Netflix will continue to milk the series for all it’s worth. We see this now with Elite being renewed for a seventh season. But we believe this show has gone on for far too long.
The Watcher
Personally, I enjoyed The Watcher, but I think one season was good enough. It’s loosely based on the true story of the Broaddus family and their horrible experience purchasing the 657 Boulevard house in Westfield, New Jersey. The show follows the Brannock family, who after purchasing their dream home and moving in, begin to receive threatening letters from a mystery stalker known as The Watcher.
The first season ends with no actual resolution but still wraps up the story of the Brannock family. However, this wasn’t really disappointing because the Broaddus family never got to figure out who was behind the creepy letters. While many things that happened in the series are different from what happened in real life, it looks like the creators wanted to stick to the true story in some ways.
So, why did Netflix renew The Watcher for a second season? Wasn’t it labeled as a limited series? Well, it all comes down to viewership numbers. Tons of people watched the mystery thriller causing it to shoot to the top of the Netflix viewership charts. Since the show was a hit, Netflix decided to renew it for a second season.
However, we believe a second season wasn’t really necessary. The show would’ve been fine with just one season. Now that a second season is confirmed, we hope it fares well when it premieres cause sometimes shows should be a one-and-done type of situation.
What Netflix shows do you think shouldn’t have been renewed in 2022? Let us know in the comments below!