Monster: The Ed Gein Story Review – Netflix’s Darkest True Crime Yet
- Je-Ree
- Oct 3
- 3 min read
Netflix has returned to its true crime goldmine with Monster: The Ed Gein Story, the latest entry in Ryan Murphy’s Monster anthology. After the massive success and controversy of Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, followed up by the Emmy nominated Monsters: The Lyle & Erik Menendez Story, this new installment sets its sights on one of America’s most mythologized killers, Ed Gein.
He’s the man who inspired the likes of Norman Bates, Leatherface and Buffalo Bill, but this series is no slasher flick. It’s a slow-burning, psychological descent into a broken mind shaped by repression, isolation and one very controlling mother.
Charlie Hunnam Transforms into Ed Gein
At the center of the story is Charlie Hunnam, and yes, this is that Charlie Hunnam. Forget the swaggering biker from Sons of Anarchy. Hunnam completely sheds his usual charisma and dives headfirst into the role of Ed Gein with an unsettling stillness.
His physical transformation is impressive, dropping 30 pounds to mirror Gein’s frail frame but it’s the emotional emptiness he brings to the character that truly sticks with you. He plays Ed not as a monster in the traditional sense, but as a socially stunted, psychologically broken man who drifts through life with a disturbing calm. It’s a quiet, chilling performance that lingers long after the credits roll. Even in his most hollowed-out, socially broken moments, there’s still a trace of that natural screen presence and yes, the undeniable attractiveness that makes it hard to fully disconnect him from the actor we know. It’s not a flaw in his performance, but more a byproduct of casting someone so charismatic in a role that calls for total physical and psychological revulsion. The show tries to mute his appeal, but it still slips through.
Laurie Metcalf Delivers a Show-Stealing Performance
Let’s talk about Laurie Metcalf, who plays Augusta Gein, Ed’s mother and the terrifying architect of his mental collapse. Metcalf’s portrayal is nothing short of stunning. She brings fire and fanaticism to Augusta without turning her into a cartoonish villain. Her control over Ed is total, and the tension between them is so thick you could cut it with a butcher knife.
In lesser hands, this character could have been one-note. But Metcalf adds layers. She’s terrifying, yes, but she also evokes a warped kind of pity. You hate her, but you understand exactly how someone like Ed Gein could become what he did under her influence. It’s a masterclass in psychological acting.
Stylish, Disturbing and Morally Complex
From a production standpoint, Monster: The Ed Gein Story is hauntingly well made. The cinematography uses shadow and silence more than gore to create discomfort. It’s not about jump scares. It’s about slowly eroding your nerves with eerie visuals, minimal music and the constant sense that something terrible is lurking just beneath the surface.
But here’s the tricky part, the show doesn’t entirely escape the moral gray zone. Like the Dahmer and Menendez series before it, Ed Gein walks a fine line between character study and exploitation. There are moments where the show feels less like it’s exploring evil and more like it’s dressing it up for entertainment. Is it too much? Maybe. Will people still binge the whole thing in a weekend? Absolutely.
Disturbing, Addictive and Uncomfortably Human
Despite its darker instincts, this series is one of Netflix’s strongest true crime offerings to date. Charlie Hunnam delivers a career-best performance that is both horrifying and heartbreakingly human. Laurie Metcalf burns through every scene she’s in with righteous fury and quiet menace. Together, they elevate the series far beyond what it could have been.
It’s not perfect, a few episodes sag in the middle and the ethical questions never fully go away but Monster: The Ed Gein Story is exactly the kind of true crime drama that sticks in your brain like a splinter. If you love slow-burn psychological horror with incredible acting, it’s a must-watch. Just maybe don’t eat dinner while watching.
What’s Next for the Monster Series?
With two heavy-hitting seasons under its belt, Netflix has proven it knows how to turn real-life monsters into binge-worthy television. Whether that’s a good thing is still up for debate, but one thing is clear, audiences can’t look away. If Ryan Murphy and Netflix plan to continue the Monster franchise, they’ll need to tread carefully. At some point, the line between storytelling and exploitation stops being blurry and just becomes a mess.
For now though, Monster: The Ed Gein Story stands as a bold, brutal and deeply uncomfortable watch and one that proves true horror doesn’t always need chainsaws and masks. Sometimes all it takes is a cold stare, a rotting farmhouse and a mother who won’t let go.
What did you think?
Loved it
Hated it
So/So
Comments