What's happened
Netflix’s third season of "Monster," titled "The Ed Gein Story," premiered on October 3, 2025, starring Charlie Hunnam as the infamous Wisconsin killer. The series dramatizes Gein’s crimes and their cultural impact, inspiring horror icons like "Psycho" and "Texas Chainsaw Massacre." While Hunnam’s performance has been praised, critics and historians have challenged the show’s historical accuracy and narrative choices, sparking debate among viewers and experts.
What's behind the headline?
Netflix’s Ed Gein Story: A Cultural and Ethical Crossroads
-
Dramatization vs. Accuracy: The series prioritizes dramatic storytelling over strict historical accuracy, leading to significant fictionalization. This raises questions about the ethics of portraying real-life crimes with creative liberties.
-
Impact on Public Perception: The show shapes public understanding of Gein, potentially distorting facts. As true crime content grows in popularity, the line between education and entertainment blurs, influencing societal views on crime and mental illness.
-
Performance vs. Narrative: Charlie Hunnam’s portrayal is widely praised for its depth, yet the narrative’s complexity and non-linear storytelling have divided audiences, with some finding it confusing.
-
Cultural Legacy of Gein: The series underscores Gein’s lasting influence on horror cinema, linking his crimes to iconic films and characters, which contextualizes his notoriety beyond the crimes themselves.
-
Controversy and Criticism: Historians like Harold Schechter criticize the series for fabrications, such as invented relationships and events, highlighting tensions between creative freedom and factual integrity.
-
Broader Implications: The show’s portrayal of gender and psychological themes has sparked debate about representation and potential stigmatization, reflecting ongoing cultural conversations about media responsibility.
This series will likely continue to provoke discussion about the responsibilities of true crime storytelling and its effects on audiences’ understanding of history and morality.
What the papers say
The New York Post offers a detailed look at the series, highlighting Charlie Hunnam’s commitment to portraying Gein authentically, with Hunnam describing Gein as "a weirdo" rather than a typical serial killer. The Post also reports on mixed audience reactions, noting praise for Hunnam’s performance but criticism of the show’s complex narrative structure. Meanwhile, historian Harold Schechter, interviewed by the NY Post, expresses strong reservations about the series’ accuracy, stating that "a very large percentage of the show is just made up," and criticizing fabricated scenes such as Gein’s alleged romantic relationship and involvement in catching Ted Bundy. The Guardian critiques the series’ portrayal of gender and psychological themes, suggesting it leans into problematic tropes linking queer identity with depravity. Business Insider UK provides context on Gein’s real crimes and their influence on horror films, while also debunking dramatized scenes like Alfred Hitchcock walking Anthony Perkins through a replica of Gein’s house, calling it "dramatic license, not history." The Scotsman reports on fan reactions to the series’ nods to other true crime shows, noting both appreciation and disappointment. Collectively, these sources reveal a tension between the series’ artistic ambitions and its factual fidelity, offering readers a nuanced view of the show’s cultural impact and controversies.
How we got here
Ed Gein was a 1950s Wisconsin murderer and grave robber whose crimes inspired iconic horror characters such as Norman Bates and Leatherface. Netflix’s "Monster" anthology series explores notorious killers, with previous seasons focusing on Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez brothers. The third season aims to depict Gein’s life and crimes, blending fact with dramatization.
Go deeper
- How accurate is Netflix’s portrayal of Ed Gein?
- What controversies has the series sparked?
- How has Charlie Hunnam’s performance been received?
Common question
-
Is Netflix's Ed Gein Story Accurate?
Netflix's latest series, 'Monster: The Ed Gein Story,' has sparked curiosity and controversy. While it dramatizes the life and crimes of the infamous Wisconsin killer, many viewers wonder how much of it is based on real events. In this page, we'll explore the accuracy of the series, its cultural impact, and what critics and historians are saying about it. If you're curious about how true the story is or how it compares to real history, keep reading for answers to your most pressing questions.
-
Why Do Horror Stories Like Ed Gein Still Fascinate Us?
Horror stories about figures like Ed Gein continue to captivate audiences worldwide. From movies and TV shows to social media discussions, these stories evoke curiosity, fear, and fascination. But what is it about these real-life killers that keeps us hooked? Below, we explore how true crime influences pop culture, the ethical concerns involved, and how media shapes our perceptions of crime and horror.
-
Is Netflix's Ed Gein Series Historically Accurate?
Netflix's latest series, 'Monster: The Ed Gein Story,' has sparked widespread debate about its historical accuracy and portrayal of one of America's most infamous killers. Viewers are curious about how much of the series is based on real events and what has been dramatized for entertainment. Below, you'll find answers to common questions about the series, its cultural impact, and the true story behind Ed Gein.
-
Are Netflix's Ed Gein Stories Based on Real Events?
Netflix's latest series, 'Monster: The Ed Gein Story,' has sparked curiosity about how much of its portrayal is rooted in reality. Many viewers wonder whether the series accurately depicts Ed Gein's true crimes or if it takes creative liberties. Below, we explore the truth behind the story, what parts are dramatized, and why creators often adapt real crime stories for entertainment. If you're curious about the line between fact and fiction in true crime dramas, keep reading.
-
How Did Ed Gein Influence Horror Movies and Characters?
Ed Gein's gruesome crimes have left a lasting mark on horror culture, inspiring some of the most iconic villains and stories in film and literature. From Psycho to Texas Chainsaw Massacre, his story raises questions about how real-life events shape our fears and entertainment. Curious about Gein's impact and the line between fact and fiction? Keep reading to explore the cultural legacy of this infamous killer and how modern creators handle his story.
More on these topics
-
Edward Theodore Gein, also known as the Butcher of Plainfield or the Plainfield Ghoul, was an American convicted serial killer and body snatcher.
-
Charles Matthew Hunnam is an English actor and screenwriter. He is best known for his role as Jackson "Jax" Teller on the FX series Sons of Anarchy, for which he was twice nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor.
-
Ryan Murphy may refer to:
-
Netflix, Inc. is an American technology and media services provider and production company headquartered in Los Gatos, California. Netflix was founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California.
-
Laura Elizabeth Metcalf is an American actress. Over the course of her four-decade career, she has won three Primetime Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, and has been nominated for an Academy Award and British Academy Film Award.
-
Harold Schechter is an American true crime writer who specializes in serial killers. He is a Professor Emeritus at Queens College, City University of New York where he taught classes in American literature and myth criticism for forty-two years.
-
Haiti, officially the Republic of Haiti formerly founded as Hayti, is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean Sea, to the east of Cuba and Jamaica and south of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos