Linguistic manipulation has been well-documented in various communicative contexts. However, its specific application within true crime series, such as character interactions in series, remains under researched. This contribution explores the use of directive acts as a form of linguistic manipulation in the true crime series Dahmer–Monster, specifically focusing on how Jeffrey Dahmer interacts with his victims. By applying Searle’s Speech Act Theory, particularly focusing on directive acts, the study aims to uncover the linguistic strategies Dahmer employs to manipulate and control his victims. Directive acts, which include commands, requests, and invitations, are analyzed to demonstrate how Dahmer influences his victims’ actions without overtly revealing his malicious intentions. Data were collected from four selected episodes of the series that portray Dahmer’s interactions with his victims. Through discourse analysis, the study identifies instances of directive acts, including asking, ordering, commanding, begging, and inviting. The findings reveal that Dahmer frequently uses subtle forms of directive acts, such as asking and ordering, to maintain power and manipulate his victims into compliance. The study also emphasizes the role of word stress and intonation in enhancing Dahmer’s manipulative speech, making his actions appear normal while exerting covert control. This research contributes to the understanding of linguistic manipulation in criminal contexts, offering insights into how directive acts can be used as tools of control. It highlights the importance of recognizing subtle manipulative language to prevent similar instances in real life and underscores the need for public awareness of linguistic strategies used by criminals