Netflix’s ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story’ Dives into the Gruesome Origins of Horror Icons

Netflix has unleashed the third installment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s chilling anthology series Monster, with Monster: The Ed Gein Story now streaming worldwide as of October 3, 2025. The eight-episode season spotlights Ed Gein, the reclusive Wisconsin farmer whose macabre crimes in the 1950s inspired some of Hollywood’s most enduring villains, including Norman Bates from Psycho, Leatherface in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs. Charlie Hunnam stars as the convicted killer, delivering a transformation that has drawn early buzz for its unflinching portrayal of Gein’s descent into madness.

The series arrives amid the anthology’s proven track record of gripping true-crime drama. The first season, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story starring Evan Peters, shattered records as one of Netflix’s most-watched English-language series, amassing over 1 billion viewing hours in its first 60 days. Season 2, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, followed suit in September 2024, dominating charts with 97.5 million hours viewed in its debut week. Now, The Ed Gein Story shifts focus to the “godfather of all serial killers,” exploring not just his atrocities but the cultural phenomenon they ignited, from grave-robbing to the birth of the true-crime obsession.

Ed Gein, born in 1906 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, lived a sheltered life under the iron grip of his domineering mother, Augusta, a devoutly religious woman who preached the immorality of others while isolating her sons. After Augusta’s death in 1945, Gein’s fragile psyche unraveled. He confessed to murdering hardware store owner Bernice Worden in 1957—her decapitated body found hanging in his shed, dressed like a deer for hunting—and tavern owner Mary Hogan in 1954. Authorities discovered a farmhouse filled with horrors: human skin lampshades, masks fashioned from faces, and furniture upholstered with body parts sourced from exhumed graves. Though only convicted of one murder due to insanity pleas—he was deemed unfit for trial until 1968—Gein’s acts shocked the nation and fueled sensationalized media coverage that turned him into America’s first “celebrity serial killer.”

The series dramatizes Gein’s isolated existence on his decaying Plainfield farm, delving into his obsession with his mother and hallucinatory visions that drove him to desecrate corpses. Episodes tease pivotal moments, like the raid on his home and his puzzling interrogations, while weaving in the broader impact: how his story influenced Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho and sparked a horror genre boom. Murphy has emphasized that the narrative probes deeper than the crimes, questioning societal fascination with deviance and whether “monsters are born or made.” All episodes dropped at once, allowing for immediate binges, with global release times starting at 12 a.m. PT on October 3 (3 a.m. ET, 8 a.m. BST).

Hunnam, known for Sons of Anarchy, undergoes a stark physical and vocal shift to embody Gein, shedding his rugged persona for a gaunt, eerie recluse. He shares the screen with Laurie Metcalf as Augusta Gein, whose abusive influence is central to the plot. Tom Hollander portrays Hitchcock, with Olivia Williams as his wife Alma Reville, highlighting the director’s adaptation of Gein’s tale into Psycho. Additional cast includes Suzanna Son as Gein’s friend Adeline, Addison Rae as alleged victim Evelyn, Lesley Manville as Bernice Worden, and cameos like Will Brill as Texas Chain Saw Massacre director Tobe Hooper. Joey Pollari plays Anthony Perkins, the actor who brought Norman Bates to life.

Production on The Ed Gein Story was announced in September 2024, retitled from an initial “The Original Monster” concept to emphasize Gein’s foundational role in true-crime pop culture. Murphy’s deal with Netflix, inked for $300 million in 2018, has fueled the anthology’s expansion, blending biographical accuracy with dramatic flair. Trailers released in late September 2025 showcase haunting visuals of rural Wisconsin and Gein’s farmhouse horrors, warning viewers of graphic content. The teaser opens with Gein’s voiceover: “You’re the ones who can’t look away,” underscoring the series’ meta-examination of true-crime voyeurism.

Gein’s legacy extends beyond his crimes; his capture in 1957, after Worden’s son tipped off police, exposed a media frenzy that sensationalized the case, influencing how killers are portrayed in entertainment. He spent his later years in a psychiatric hospital, dying in 1984 from respiratory failure. The series reportedly humanizes Gein somewhat, exploring his social isolation and maternal trauma, though critics anticipate debates over glorification, echoing backlash from prior seasons. Hunnam noted his aim to delve into Gein’s psyche, avoiding mere shock value.

Social media reactions have been swift since the drop, with X users praising the production’s eerie atmosphere and Hunnam’s performance, though some express unease over revisiting such depravity. Posts highlight Rae’s “thrilling” debut in a dramatic role and clips from episodes teasing Gein’s abusive upbringing. Fan accounts and horror enthusiasts on Reddit and X anticipate it topping charts, much like its predecessors.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story fits into Netflix’s robust true-crime slate, which includes older Gein-related content like the 2000 biopic Ed Gein and documentaries such as Psycho: The Lost Tapes of Ed Gein. Yet, this dramatized take stands out for its star power and Murphy’s signature style—lavish sets, psychological depth, and cultural commentary. As the anthology eyes future seasons, Gein’s tale serves as a grim reminder of horror’s real roots. Streamers with strong stomachs can dive in now, but beware: this monster’s story lingers.