Netflix’s Monster: The Story of Ed Gein — A Morbid, Powerful Watch
SPOILER WARNING: If you haven’t seen Monster: The Story of Ed Gein on Netflix, I suggest stopping here. I’ll be diving into key plot points and scenes that could spoil the experience for first-time viewers.
First Impressions: This Series Is Not for the Faint of Heart
Let me start by saying: Monster: The Story of Ed Gein is a very hard watch.
I cringed — more than once. It’s incredibly dark, especially during the first few episodes, which dive deep into the disturbing world of necrophilia, grave robbing, and psychological decay. The show does not hold back, and while some scenes are graphic and unsettling, I actually appreciate that the creators didn’t sanitize what was, in real life, a nightmarish story.
Yes, there are moments that are disgusting. Yes, I had to look away more than once.
But — these moments felt necessary, not gratuitous. This was a man who desecrated graves, wore human skin, and committed unspeakable acts. Sanitizing that would’ve felt dishonest.
Fact vs. Fiction: What’s Real, What’s Not?
One of the things I really enjoyed about the series was how it blended historical fact with creative fiction. The storytelling was layered, almost like watching a psychological puzzle unfold, but it’s important to separate the real from the dramatized. Two items of fiction that were weaved into the butcher of Plainfield’s story and stood out to me:
The “Bitch of Buchenwald” Connection
There’s a storyline that suggests Gein was inspired by Ilse Koch, the so-called “Bitch of Buchenwald” — a Nazi war criminal infamous for grotesque acts involving human skin.
To be clear, I couldn’t find any solid evidence tying Gein’s obsession with skin to her specifically. It’s likely a creative interpretation by the writers. That said, it’s not an outrageous stretch. The timing overlaps with the post-WWII era, when stories of Nazi atrocities were spreading through the media. It’s plausible someone like Gein could’ve seen these headlines and internalized them.
The Ted Bundy Crossover
The show also hints that Gein may have somehow helped law enforcement track Ted Bundy. Fascinating idea — but again, there’s no factual basis for this. Still, I actually liked this fictional twist. It added depth to Gein’s eerie influence and made it feel like his legacy was haunting the timeline of other infamous serial killers.
The Real Horror: Mental Illness and Isolation
More disturbing than the gore was how the series portrayed Gein’s mental illness — particularly schizophrenia — and the isolation that fueled his descent. Rather than turning him into a monster for shock value alone, the show unpacks how untreated mental illness, social isolation, and early trauma all contributed to what he became.
We’re not invited to sympathize with him — and we shouldn’t — but the psychological nuance was compelling. It reminds us that real horror often comes from a mix of broken environments and broken minds.
Charlie Hunnam: A Career-Best Performance?
Let’s talk about Charlie Hunnam, who plays Ed Gein with terrifying depth. I’ve followed his acting career for years, and this was a major stretch for him — emotionally, physically, and psychologically.
What impressed me most? In interviews, he revealed that he insisted on doing the nudity scenes. Not for shock value, but because he believed it was necessary to portray the raw vulnerability of the character. That kind of commitment shows. His portrayal is raw, unsettling, and deeply immersive.
If anything makes this show worth watching, it’s the performances — especially Hunnam’s.
Ed Gein’s Legacy: The Blueprint for Modern Horror
Whether or not you’ve heard of Ed Gein before this series, his crimes have cast a long shadow over pop culture. He directly inspired:
- Norman Bates in Psycho
- Leatherface in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs
His horrific acts redefined how horror stories were told — shifting the genre from the supernatural to the psychological. Monster subtly nods to this legacy without glorifying it, which I appreciated.
Final Thoughts: Disturbing, But Important
Honestly? This show disturbed me. I finished it feeling heavy, unsettled, and more than a little queasy. But I also think that’s the point.
Monster: The Story of Ed Gein is not just another true crime dramatization. It’s a raw, emotionally intense look at the mind of one of America’s most twisted killers. It doesn’t let the viewer off the hook. It asks us to confront what happens when trauma, mental illness, and isolation go unchecked.
If you’re a true crime fan, a psychological thriller enthusiast, or someone fascinated by the darker corners of human behavior, this series is worth watching — but be warned: it’s a tough, sometimes nauseating experience.
Have you seen it? What did you think about the blend of fact and fiction? Did Charlie Hunnam’s performance haunt you too? Let’s talk in the comments.
