If you’ve ever watched Psycho, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, or The Silence of the Lambs and thought, “Wow, that villain feels disturbingly real,” congratulations, you’ve already brushed up against Ed Gein. And now, thanks to Netflix’s third instalment of the Monster anthology series, you’re about to meet the man who inspired an entire generation of fictional maniacs.
Ryan Murphy is back, wielding his usual sledgehammer-subtle storytelling, and this time he’s going straight for the jugular, literally and figuratively.
Who Is Ed Gein (And Why Should You Be Nervous)?
Gein wasn’t just a murderer, he was a walking blueprint for every backwoods horror trope in cinema. Grave robber? Check. Mommy issues so intense Freud would combust? Double check. A flair for home décor involving human remains? You bet.
This season promises to dive deeper than the usual Wikipedia-level true crime retelling. Instead of just cataloguing crimes, it’s peeling back the skin (figuratively!) on how Gein became the dark muse for modern horror. Think Dateline, but on a psychedelic horror trip.
Charlie Hunnam Is Your New Worst Nightmare.
So, who’s stepping into this freakshow’s starring role? Charlie Hunnam, and yes, it’s a wild choice. The Sons of Anarchy alum is swapping biker leather for butcher’s aprons, and if the early buzz is to be believed, he’s going all in. Expect a slow-burn performance with the kind of quiet creepiness that makes your skin try to crawl away from your bones.
Alongside him? Laurie Metcalf as Gein’s mother, Augusta, aka the ultimate religious guilt trip wrapped in an apron. She’s the kind of character that makes you want to call your mom… and then never talk to her again.
A Little Hitchcock With Your Horror?
Here’s the curveball: the series will also include Alfred Hitchcock and his wife, Alma Reville, as characters. No, this isn’t Drunk History, it’s an intentional nod to how horror imitates life imitates horror. It’s meta as hell, and it works. Expect big conversations about ethics, inspiration, and where the line blurs between creative genius and ghoulish obsession.
Release Date? We’re Betting on a Spooky Season Drop.
Filming wrapped up in 2024, so the blood-soaked ball should drop in late 2025, October, if Netflix knows what they’re doing (and they usually do, at least when it comes to maximizing dread during sweater weather).
Why This One Might Actually Be Worth Your Binge.
Let’s be real, Monster Season 1 (Dahmer) was polarizing. Some called it exploitative; others praised it for flipping the lens. Either way, it dominated the cultural conversation. Season 2 (Menéndez Brothers) was more subdued. But with The Original Monster, Murphy’s playing with foundational horror DNA, and there’s a lot more room for commentary, style, and actual scares.
Bonus points if you’re a horror nerd who loves genre references. This one’s not just about Ed Gein. It’s about why we fear the things we fear, and how real life is often much scarier than fiction.
Final Verdict?
If Netflix sticks the landing, Monster: The Original Monster could be the most terrifying, layered, and culturally relevant season yet. It’s not just retelling horror history, it’s stitching it together like one of Gein’s infamous… let’s say “projects.”
Brace yourselves. This one’s going to get under your skin, and maybe hang out there a while.
