Before serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer’s horrific crimes became national news 25 years ago, he was just your average teen (kind of). At Revere High School in Ohio, Dahmer had friends, played pranks, and did all the stuff normal kids do. Of course, that all changed years later, when the name Jeffrey Dahmer became synonymous with the word “monster.” But to author Derf Backderf, Dahmer was simply “Jeff.”

In 2012, Backderf wrote the graphic novel My Friend Dahmer based on his friendship with the murderer in high school, years before Dahmer became a cold-blooded killer. The novel is currently being adapted into a feature-length film and will premiere next year, with former Disney star and R5 band member Ross Lynch taking on the role of young Dahmer.

Portraying one of the most evil figures in history is definitely a 180 from Ross’s role in family-friendly fare like Austin & Ally and Teen Beach Movie. But one look at recently surfaced set photos reveal just how perfect Lynch is for the part — his resemblance to Dahmer is uncanny.

Seriously, Lynch as Dahmer is practically identical to the real Dahmer as a teenager.

Dahmer’s childhood friends Mike (Harrison Holzer), Derf (Alex Wolff), and Neil (Tommy Nelson) were a tight little inner circle during high school.

But while the film is focused around a serial killer, don’t go in expecting a horror film.

Backderf told Rolling Stone back in July, “It’s not a slasher film – it’s a very melancholy tale full of regret and remorse that shows this young kid spiraling into madness.” And as for the casting of a well-known Disney star as the face of evil, Backderf teased, “I think you’re not going to be able to see the teen heartthrob [Lynch] in this role.” And honestly, we can’t wait.