2017 Tribeca Film Festival: Anne Heche Walks the Red Carpet for 'My Friend Dahmer'

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NEW YORK CITY – The versatile Anne Heche is in a different type of role… portraying the mother of Jeffrey Dahmer. “My Friend Dahmer,” based on the high school years of the infamous future serial killer, premiered at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival.

Actress Anne Heche at the Tribeca Film Festival for ‘My Friend Dahmer’ on April 21st, 2017
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com

Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com was there to ask questions of the cast, which includes Heche (Joyce Dahmer), Ross Lynch (Jeffrey Dahmer) and Alex Wolff (as Derf, Dahmer’s “friend”).

HollywoodChicago.com: What psychology did you recognize in the portrayal of Joyce Dahmer in a sense of her relationship with her son?

Anne Heche: The point is that Joyce didn’t see what was happening, but I didn’t delve into psychology when I was telling that story. We filmed in the actual house that he grew up in, and that was odd, but I didn’t want to know much because I wanted to come in clean. My holding area was her old bedroom, and there was a mirror, so looking at her there was disturbing. I never saw a ghost, but I definitely got the feedback that this would be a bit of a messed up journey.

HollywoodChicago.com: You do seemingly all genres of film effectively. Is there one you gravitate towards?

Heche: I can’t say I have a favorite, for me it’s about telling a story and doing what is necessary to make that happen. Where do I go to help my fellows actors and director to be truthful. I love comedy, because I like making fun of things even though they are dramatic. It’s a honor that I still get offers for all different genres.

Alex Wolff (left) and Ross Lynch for ‘My Friend Dahmer’
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com: Alex, since the film is through your character’s eyes, what did you think about it overall?

Alex Wolff: This film is so unique and interesting because it’s just about a bunch of kids, before anything with ‘Jeffrey Dahmer’ began. It’s both empathetic and at some point non-empathetic. It’s a one of a kind film. It captures friendship and the weirdness of friendship, regarding two people who are stuck together in the same situation.

HollywoodChicago.com: How did that feeling translate into your interaction with the director Marc Meyers?

Wolff: Mark was enthusiastic, complimentary and encouraging, but especially he was loose. He asked us to hang out together and get to know each other, and created friendships that showed up in the characters. Key note – we’re all virgins. [laughs]

Cast and Creators of ‘My Friend Dahmer’
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com: You’ve played the bomber in ‘Patriots Day’ and now are in a film about the early days of Jeffrey Dahmer. Are you drawn to controversial characters?

Wolff: Apparently I’m very f**ked up. [laughs] It’s the stories that look challenging that really interests me. I love movies that have characters who are mixed, that don’t necessarily give you a direct answer. It just happened that I did two films close together that had these infamous subjects and characters. Two interesting projects for totally different reasons.

HollywoodChicago.com: Ross, since you played Jeffrey Dahmer in his younger years, what sympathy did you eventually gain for him?

Ross Lynch: It starts with a simple fact that once upon a time he was a human being. Even though he had things happen to him as he was younger, and he reacted extremely, I do sympathize with that, but can’t understand what happened later.

By PATRICK McDONALD Writer, Editorial Coordinator HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com