Monster: The Ed Gein Story
Monster: The Ed Gein Story
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Monster: The Ed Gein Story

"Before The Texas Chainsaw Massacre... there was Ed."

7.2
Yr 2025
Status Ended
Crime Drama
Your Verdict
Unrated

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Series Brief

Overview

The shocking true-life tale of Ed Gein, the infamous murderer and grave robber who inspired many of Hollywood's most iconic on-screen killers.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 38 /100

Critical reception for Monster: The Ed Gein Story was largely negative, with many reviewers finding the third installment of Ryan Murphy's anthology series to be excessively graphic, tedious, and unfocused. Critics frequently took issue with the show's intense violence and lingering depictions of horrific crimes, arguing that the series crossed the line into sensationalism and gratuitous spectacle while heavily embellishing real events.

Several reviewers also criticized the pacing and narrative structure, describing the season as an exhausting watch burdened by hypocritical meta-commentary regarding true-crime consumption. While a few critics appreciated the production's ambition, compelling performances, and psychological focus on Gein's troubled upbringing, the prevailing consensus viewed the series as an ineffective and disappointing entry in the franchise.

“a baffling, graphic and endless retelling of the life and crimes of one of America’s most notorious serial killers.”

“fails to deliver an engaging & accurate portrayal of the infamous killer, resulting in a tedious, unfocused show.”

“a haunting watch that blends true crime detail with unsettling psychological depth.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Netflix Standard with Ads
UK • US • CA
Netflix
US • CA • UK
Why fans love it

Monster: The Ed Gein Story recreates the bleak reality of 1940s Wisconsin through the lens of a psychological thriller. The series anchors its narrative in the post-World War II era, tracing how a grave robber morphed into a notorious murderer. By focusing on the historical gravity of these crimes, the show avoids standard police drama tropes to examine the mind behind the madness.

Charlie Hunnam anchors a cast that includes Suzanna Son and Vicky Krieps to bring a sense of grounded dread to the production. The writing keeps the focus on the chilling origins of an American monster, capturing the initial community reaction as neighbors slowly realized they lived alongside a man who horrified a nation. It is a stark observation of how real history often eclipses the fictional villains it eventually inspired.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 8
Longest run 8 eps
Charlie Hunnam
Charlie Hunnam
as Ed Gein
8 episodes
Suzanna Son
Suzanna Son
as Adeline Watkins
8 episodes
Vicky Krieps
Vicky Krieps
as Ilse Koch
8 episodes
Laurie Metcalf
Laurie Metcalf
as Augusta Gein
8 episodes
Nick Carpenter
as Daniel Smith
1 episode
Hudson Oz
Hudson Oz
as Henry Gein
1 episode
Potsch Boyd
Potsch Boyd
as Karl Koch
2 episodes
Ezra Buzzington
Ezra Buzzington
as Coroner
1 episode
Show 67 more
Torrey Hanson as Pharmacist 5 episodes Loren Lazerine as Lutheran Minister 1 episode Robin Weigert as Enid Watkins 4 episodes Mimi Kennedy as Dr. Mildred Newman 2 episodes Rondi Reed as Mary Hogan 1 episode Ethan Sandler as Robert Bloch 2 episodes Jackie Kay as Tab Hunter 1 episode Alvin Cowan as Tavern Employee 1 episode Cinda Adams as Costumer 1 episode Aidan Alexander as George 1 episode Marwa Bernstein as 1st AD 1 episode Michael Lomenick as Neighbor 1 episode Charlotte Alexis White as Stiffy's Girl 1 episode Bret Tuomi as Guard 1 episode Vincent Teninty as Deputy Will Stanton 1 episode Jessica Ridenour as Nurse 1 episode Phil Ridarelli as Orderly #2 1 episode Chloe Oloren as Janice Ott 1 episode John T. O'Brien as Ted Bundy 1 episode Jeffrey Murdoch as Ed Kemper 1 episode Morgan McDaniel as Dancer Nurse #1 1 episode Iris Lieberman as Louise 1 episode Annamarie Kasper as Denise Naslund 1 episode Nation Sage Henrikson as Rick 1 episode Jonathan Jay Harris as Opera Patient 1 episode Michael Ehlers as Newscaster (John McKenzie) 1 episode Alyssa Dyksterhouse as Orderly 1 episode John Drea as Charles Manson 1 episode Mickey Dolan as Stiffy 1 episode Gavin Darrow as John 1 episode Chloe Chandler as Dancer Nurse #2 1 episode Bassam Abdelfattah as Prison Guard 1 episode Golden Garnick as Buffalo Bill 2 episodes Meighan Gerachis as Nurse Salty Maguire 2 episodes Randall Newsome as Psychiatrist 2 episodes Linda Reiter as Nurse Roz Mahoney 2 episodes Caleb Ruminer as Special Agent John Douglas 1 episode Sean Carrigan as Special Agent Robert Ressler 1 episode Megan Ketch as Dr. Ann Burgess 1 episode Happy Anderson as Jerry Brudos 1 episode Tobias Jelinek as Richard Speck 1 episode Daniel Abraham Stevens as Abraham 1 episode Cameron Lee Price as MP Guard 1 episode Medina Kincy as Linda 1 episode Mark Kelly as First AD 1 episode Zoe Jones as Young Nurse 1 episode Maye Harris as Teenage Girl 1 episode James Marc Gordon as Night Guard 1 episode Sean Fortunato as Auctioneer 1 episode Paula Jay Fairbrother as Woman 1 episode Mark Engelhardt as 1st AC 1 episode Josette DiCarlo as Alice 1 episode Paul Culos as Bellman 1 episode Brock Powell as Leatherface / Gunnar Hanson 3 episodes Alanna Darby as Christine Jorgensen 3 episodes Dusty Sorg as Officer 2 episodes Emma Halleen as Suzette 2 episodes Emily McEnroe as Mary Church 2 episodes Sabrina Haskett as Marilyn Burns 2 episodes Will Brill as Tobe Hooper 2 episodes Addison Rae as Evelyn Hartley 2 episodes Tyler Jacob Moore as Sheriff Art Schley 4 episodes Charlie Hall as Deputy Frank Worden 4 episodes Joey Pollari as Anthony Perkins 3 episodes Lesley Manville as Bernice Worden 3 episodes Olivia Williams as Alma Reville 2 episodes Tom Hollander as Alfred Hitchcock 2 episodes
Production Board

Crew

Set Designer
Courtney Laine Koller
Executive Producer
Ryan Murphy Louise Shore Scott Robertson Nissa Diederich
Editor
Franklin Peterson Adam Penn Jack Price
Producer
Adam Penn
Construction Coordinator
Will Thayer
Production Design
Matthew Flood Ferguson
Additional Music
Rob Simonsen
Director of Photography
Carolina Costa Michael Bauman
Casting
Bernard Telsey Tiffany Little Canfield
Supervising Art Director
Helen Harwell
Co-Executive Producer
Todd Nenninger Tanase Popa Sara Stelwagen
Makeup Department Head
Leo Corey Castellano
Costume Coordinator
Kris Santis
Set Decoration
Melissa Licht
First Assistant Sound Editor
Smokey Cloud
Unit Production Manager
Sally Brunski Kevin McGrail
Script Supervisor
Anna Dale-Meunier
Casting Assistant
Dana Gaier Ellis
Co-Producer
Genevieve Fontaine
Costume Design
Joshua Marsh
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Monster: The Ed Gein Story overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

world war ii wisconsin based on true story murder serial killer psychological thriller mad grave robber 1940s mother son relationship cannibalism horror horrified
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
October 03, 2025
Status
Ended
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
553