From his terrifying childhood in Wisconsin to the crimes that inspired films like Psycho, find out who Ed Gein was and what to expect from the new season of Netflix’s horror anthology.
The series Monster by Ryan Murphy, famous for his ability to transform real crimes into compelling narratives, returns with a new season on Netflix: Monster: The Ed Gein Story. This third season explores the life and crimes of Ed Gein, a name that inspired some of horror’s most iconic characters, such as Norman Bates in Psycho and Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs.
The series
The role of Ed Gein is played by Charlie Hunnam, known for his performances in Sons of Anarchy And Pacific Rim. Hunnam said: «I knew little about Ed Gein before this project», said the actor «I only knew that he was considered one of the first serial killers, active in rural post-war America». Alongside him, Laurie Metcalf plays Augusta Gein, Ed’s mother, a central figure in his life and crimes. Other cast members include Suzanna Son as Adeline Watkins, a woman who allegedly had an affair with Ed after his arrest, and Tom Hollander as Alfred Hitchcock.
Who was Ed Gein
Ed Gein, born in 1906 in Wisconsin, was a serial killer and necrophile whose notoriety was linked to the discovery of macabre human trophies in his home. After his arrest in 1957 for the murder of Bernice Worden, investigations revealed that Gein had dug up corpses from local cemeteries and used their parts to create objects such as lamps and belts. His figure has inspired numerous horror films and iconic characters of the genre.
Monster, the anthology by Ryan Murphy
The series Monster is an anthology that explores the lives of real-life criminal figures, with each season dedicated to a different “monster.” The first season, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Storychronicled the life and crimes of the notorious serial killer. The second season, Monster: The Story of the Menendez Brothersfocused attention on the murders of their parents by brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez, leading to intense media attention as well as the reopening of the case.
