Monster: The Ed Gein Story – Review | Netflix

MONSTER: THE ED GEIN STORY on Netflix is the latest installment of the serial killer anthology series. This is perhaps the darkest one yet. Charlie Hunnam is eerily good as the title character. All eight episodes are out now. Read our Monster: The Ed Gein Story series review here!

MONSTER: THE ED GEIN STORY is the new Netflix series from Murphy & Brennan. This is the third installment of the Monster serial killer anthology. This time around, there are eight episodes to the season. It is extremely dark with an almost kitsch WWII element. You’ll see!

YOU MIGHT LIKE

Our review of the first installment about Jeffrey Dahmer >

And our review of season 2 Monsters about the Menendez Brothers >

While Ed Gein may be the serial killer with the least name recognition, his impact on pop culture is paramount. It’s impossible to downplay how many iconic serial killer characters and movies have been based on his life and actions.

Continue reading our Monster: The Ed Gein Story review below. Find it on Netflix from October 3, 2025.

Why does the Ed Gein story seem so familiar?

As already mentioned, Ed Gein may not be one of those serial killers that everyone knows by name. Not like Jeffrey Dahmer or Ted Bundy. Obviously, I do recognize that many people do know about him, but many have also said “Who?” when hearing his name,

This is probably due to when he committed his crimes, as they happened all the way back in the 1950s. Well, the ones he is convicted of, anyway. It may very well have begun much earlier, as shown in this Netflix series.

So, why is it much about Ed Gein’s story is familiar if he isn’t necessarily a killer you’re all that familiar with? Well, that would be because elements of his persona have been used in some of the most iconic horror movie villains of all time.

Movies such as The Silence of the Lambs and Psycho, in particular. In fact, Tom Hollander stars in Monster: The Ed Gein Story as Alfred Hitchcock, the director of the iconic horror movie Psycho. Plus Joey Pollari (American Crime) as Anthony Perkins.

Even the character of Leatherface from The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is inspired by the actions of Ed Gein. Still, Psycho is clearly the movie that hits the closest to home, which is also obvious in Monster: The Ed Gein Story on Netflix.

Charlie Hunnam is Ed Gein, Laurie Metcalf is Mother

Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy, Rebel Moon) plays the title character with an eerie darkness that feels only appropriate for this real-life killer. However, while never excusing his actions, Charlie Hunnam also shows the softer side of Ed Gein.

We’re talking about a person who was declared legally insane, so clearly he was not fully aware of everything that happened. Neither his own actions nor what happened around him. Again, this is also highlighted in Monster: The Ed Gein Story.

Particularly with the death of Henry Gein, Ed’s brother, which happens in episode 1. Whenever Ed Gein can’t handle something, his mind tries to help him cope.

To prepare for the role of Ed Gein, Charlie Hunnam lost 30 pounds and changed the way he talks. His voice is much higher-pitched and strangely soft than what we usually hear from Hunnam.

While Charlie Hunnam will show a lot of skin and perform some very raunchy actions as Ed Gein, Laurie Metcalf as Mother, Augusta, will scorn him every chance she gets. Laurie Metcalf (Scream 2, Lady Bird) plays this character with a sinister vibe that permeates everything.

The relationship between mother and son is clearly a sick one. Often used in many serial killer stories since. Well, okay, another real-life serial killer with a similar relationship to his mother is Ed Kemper. Oh yes, another Ed.

Who is in the cast of The Ed Gein Story?

Aside from Charlie Hunnam and Laurie Metcalf in the most important roles, we also see amazing talents in the many other key roles.

From Suzanna Son (Fear Street: Prom Queen) as Ed Gein’s only friend, Adeline Watkins, to the earlier-mentioned Tom Hollander (Bird Box, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans) as Alfred Hitchcock.

As the WWII story’s main character, Ilse Koch, we see Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread, Old). This is a real doozy of a story inspired by both the real horrors of WWII and fictional raunchy stories.

Also in the cast of Monster: The Ed Gein Story are Olivia Williams (The Sixth Sense),
Tyler Jacob Moore (Shameless), Charlie Hall (Monsters), Mimi Kennedy (In the Loop), Robin Weigert (Smile), and Lesley Manville (Grotesquerie).

Another horror treat is also Will Brill (The OA, Fellow Travelers) as yet another iconic horror director: Tobe Hooper. He was the director of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

Watch Monster: The Ed Gein Story on Netflix now

Ed Gein was a serial killer and grave robber (convicted of both murder and grave desecration) who committed his crimes in rural Plainfield, Wisconsin. While seemingly a friendly, soft-spoken, and mild-mannered man, he had a dangerous side.

He was a man, who lived with his mother, but had extremely dark fantasies.

Very sick and sinister fantasies. Unfortunately, his mental challenges made it impossible for him to battle those alone. And his mother clearly didn’t help.

For Monster: The Ed Gein Story, the serial killer anthology creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan have opted for a WWII element to highlight his inner world. This does become rather kitsch and wild at times, which I expect won’t be for everyone.

Honestly, it wasn’t my favorite part of the installment either. However, I recognize that the symbolism is very appropriate. From the very first episode, his real-life actions alone make it obvious why Ed Gein became the blueprint for modern horror villains.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story premieres on Netflix on October 3, 2025.

Details

Creators: Ryan Murphy & Ian Brennan
Cast: Charlie Hunnam, Laurie Metcalf, Suzanna Son, Tom Hollander, Vicky Krieps, Olivia Williams, Joey Pollari, Tyler Jacob Moore, Charlie Hall, Will Brill, Mimi Kennedy, Robin Weigert, Lesley Manville, Addison Rae