Netflix dropped Monster: The Ed Gein Story on October 3, 2025, produced by Ryan Murphy, following his record-breaking series Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. The show chronicles Ed Gein, a notorious Wisconsin murderer whose crimes shocked the nation and inspired iconic horror films like Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Silence of the Lambs.
Who Was Ed Gein?
Born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1906, Ed Gein was the younger of two sons. The family moved to an isolated farm in Plainfield, Waushara County, where Gein grew up under the strict control of his religious mother, Augusta. His father, George, died in 1940 of heart failure, and Augusta’s death in 1945 left Ed alone on the farm, intensifying his obsession with her.
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Crimes That Shook Wisconsin
Gein committed two confirmed murders:
- Mary Hogan – A 51-year-old tavern owner, killed in 1954.
- Bernice Worden – A 58-year-old hardware store owner, killed in 1957.
Police found additional human remains in Gein’s home, including masks, a corset, and a lampshade made from female skin, as well as skulls used as decorative items. He admitted to exhuming nine bodies from local cemeteries to create these gruesome artifacts. Despite the horror, Gein did not practice cannibalism or necrophilia.
Netflix’s Dramatic Interpretation
Monster: The Ed Gein Story dramatizes Gein’s life, including:
- The death of his older brother Henry, shown as a murder, though historically Henry died from a fire and heart failure.
- A brief relationship with Adeline Watkins, exaggerated in the series; in reality, their interactions lasted only months.
- Gein’s fascination with his mother, Augusta, and her influence on his crimes.
Charlie Hunnam portrays Gein, using rare audio recordings to capture his voice and mannerisms.
Trials and Mental Health
Arrested in November 1957, Gein pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. He was institutionalized at Central State Hospital and later at Mendota Mental Health Institute. After a second trial in 1968, he was found guilty but legally insane, spending the rest of his life in psychiatric care. Gein died in 1984 from respiratory failure caused by lung cancer at age 77.
Cultural Legacy
Gein’s crimes directly inspired classic horror:
- Norman Bates (Psycho) – Obsession with his mother.
- Leatherface (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) – Human skin masks and suits.
- Buffalo Bill (Silence of the Lambs) – Costume creation from female corpses.
Through Netflix’s dramatization, his story continues to captivate audiences, highlighting the dark intersection of psychology, crime, and media.
