Monster: The Ed Gein Story — Netflix Revives the Most Disturbing American True Crime Tale with a Human Touch

A New Chapter in the Monster Anthology

After the success of Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and Monster: The Menendez Brothers, Netflix continues its anthology with Monster: The Ed Gein Story, released on October 3, 2025. Created by Ian Brennan and produced by Ryan Murphy, the series combines cinematic storytelling with psychological depth.

Leading the cast is Charlie Hunnam, who transforms completely into Ed Gein. He is joined by Laurie Metcalf as Gein’s mother Augusta, Suzanna Son as Adeline Watkins, and Tom Hollander as Alfred Hitchcock — drawing an eerie connection between Gein’s crimes and the birth of modern horror cinema.

Revisiting the Crimes That Shocked America

In the 1950s, the small town of Plainfield, Wisconsin, became the center of a nightmare. Ed Gein, a reclusive farmhand, was arrested after the disappearance of local store owner Bernice Worden. Inside his home, investigators found remains fashioned into furniture, masks, and what he called a “woman suit” — stitched together from the skin of corpses he had exhumed.

The series does not sensationalize these acts but rather explores why they happened. Through Hunnam’s performance, viewers see the psychological scars left by Gein’s overbearing and abusive mother, Augusta. Her twisted teachings about sin and purity shaped his view of women and, ultimately, his descent into madness.

Did Ed Gein Really Kill His Brother?

A chilling subplot in Monster: The Ed Gein Story revisits the mysterious death of Gein’s brother, Henry Gein. The show suggests Ed may have been involved, though official records remain inconclusive. Henry’s body was found after a fire on the family farm, with unexplained head injuries.

This narrative choice adds psychological depth — showing a man trapped between guilt, delusion, and devotion to his mother.

The Mystery of Adeline Watkins

One of the most debated aspects of Monster: The Ed Gein Story is the portrayal of Adeline Watkins, said to have been Gein’s long-term companion. Played by Suzanna Son, Watkins humanizes Gein’s world, portraying him not just as a killer but as a man desperate for affection.

Historical accounts of Adeline Watkins remain murky. In interviews from the 1950s, she claimed to have known Gein for two decades, but later denied any romantic connection. Historians believe her story was likely exaggerated by the press. Still, Netflix embraces the emotional angle, depicting Watkins as the one person who saw kindness in Gein — even if it was fleeting and tragically misplaced.

Charlie Hunnam’s Transformation

Charlie Hunnam’s portrayal of Gein has been praised for its restraint. In interviews, he described the filming experience as “strangely joyous” despite the darkness of the material. The actor lost significant weight and altered his voice and posture to mirror Gein’s nervous energy and submissive demeanor.

This commitment pays off. Hunnam’s Gein is not a one-dimensional monster — he’s a fragile, confused man shaped by trauma, grief, and delusion. It’s a portrayal that blurs the line between horror and heartbreak.

Balancing Horror and Humanity

Critics have had mixed reactions to Monster: The Ed Gein Story. Some applaud its psychological depth and haunting cinematography, while others find it too graphic. But one thing is clear: the show invites reflection on how true crime storytelling influences our perception of evil.

Rather than glorifying violence, the series challenges audiences to ask uncomfortable questions — about loneliness, parental control, and the creation of “monsters” in human form.

How Ed Gein Shaped Modern Horror

Even decades after his death, Ed Gein’s legacy remains woven into pop culture. His crimes inspired iconic horror characters:

• Norman Bates in Psycho (1960)

• Leatherface in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

• Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Netflix’s retelling connects these cultural references directly to Gein’s story, showing how one man’s madness redefined the genre of fear itself.

A True Crime Story That Still Divides Viewers

While Monster: The Ed Gein Story continues to trend globally, debate persists over whether such stories should be dramatized at all. The creators argue the goal isn’t to exploit, but to understand. As Ryan Murphy explained in press interviews, the series aims to “show the making of a monster — not just his crimes, but the world that created him.”

For many viewers, this season of Monster offers a disturbing yet thought-provoking look at how horror is often born from the pain we refuse to confront.