The chilling true-crime anthology series Monster is set to return with its third season, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, premiering on Netflix on October 3, 2025. Created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, this season dives into the gruesome life and crimes of Ed Gein, the infamous serial killer and grave robber whose horrific acts in 1950s rural Wisconsin inspired some of Hollywood’s most iconic horror films, including Psycho, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs. With a stellar cast led by Charlie Hunnam, a haunting trailer, and a promise to explore both the man and his cultural legacy, this series is poised to be the most disturbing chapter of the Monster anthology yet. Here’s everything we know about Monster: The Ed Gein Story, from its plot and cast to its production details and cultural impact, in approximately 1,500 words.
The Premise: A House of Horrors in Rural Wisconsin
Monster: The Ed Gein Story centers on Ed Gein, known as the “Butcher of Plainfield” or the “Plainfield Ghoul,” a reclusive farmer whose crimes shocked the nation in 1957. According to Netflix’s official synopsis, “In the frozen fields of 1950s rural Wisconsin, a friendly, mild-mannered recluse named Eddie Gein lived quietly on a decaying farm – hiding a house of horrors so gruesome it would redefine the American nightmare. Driven by isolation, psychosis, and an all-consuming obsession with his mother, Gein’s perverse crimes birthed a new kind of monster that would haunt Hollywood for decades.” Gein confessed to killing two women—Bernice Worden and Mary Hogan—and admitted to stealing bodies from nine graves, using human remains to craft macabre items like lampshades, masks, and suits made of skin. These acts, rooted in his psychological turmoil and fixation on his mother, Augusta, became the blueprint for modern horror, influencing characters like Norman Bates, Leatherface, and Buffalo Bill.
The series promises not only to recount Gein’s chilling crimes but also to explore the broader cultural impact of his actions. By weaving in figures like Alfred Hitchcock and Tobe Hooper, the show examines how Gein’s story shaped the horror genre and ignited a cultural obsession with true crime. Ryan Murphy has emphasized that the series will delve into the question of whether monsters are born or made, suggesting a psychological portrait of Gein that focuses on his humanity as much as his atrocities. As Murphy told California Governor Gavin Newsom on the podcast This Is Gavin Newsom, “This was a person who was mentally ill, who was an undiagnosed schizophrenic his entire life. So it really is sort of a story about mental health and awareness.” This approach aims to balance the sensationalism of Gein’s crimes with a nuanced look at his psyche and upbringing.
The Trailer: A Glimpse into Darkness
The full trailer for Monster: The Ed Gein Story, released on September 4, 2025, is a masterclass in building dread. Set to the Pet Shop Boys’ “It’s a Sin,” the nearly three-minute clip opens with Tom Hollander’s Alfred Hitchcock asking, “What shocks you most about him?” as police uncover gruesome evidence in Gein’s farmhouse—fragments of skin, bones, and grotesque keepsakes. Charlie Hunnam’s Ed Gein is shown in chilling moments, dancing in a dress made of human skin and wearing a mask crafted from his mother’s face, a direct reference to his real-life crimes. Hunnam breaks the fourth wall in the trailer’s final moments, saying, “You’re the one who can’t look away,” challenging viewers to confront their fascination with true crime.
The trailer also introduces key characters, including Laurie Metcalf as Augusta Gein, whose domineering presence shaped Ed’s descent into madness, and Addison Rae as Evelyn Hartley, a babysitter and alleged victim. Scenes of Hollywood figures like Hitchcock and Anthony Perkins hint at the series’ exploration of Gein’s influence on Psycho and other films. The visuals are stark and unsettling, with snow-covered Wisconsin fields juxtaposed against the horror of Gein’s home. Fan reactions on platforms like YouTube and Reddit have been intense, with comments like, “Charlie Hunnam is unrecognizable—this is next level,” and “The trailer alone gave me chills.” However, some X users have criticized the series for potentially glamorizing Gein’s crimes, with one stating, “Stop exploiting and sexualizing trauma at the cost of victims.” The trailer sets the stage for a series that’s both a psychological thriller and a commentary on society’s obsession with horror.
The Cast: A Powerhouse Ensemble
Monster: The Ed Gein Story boasts an impressive ensemble cast, led by Charlie Hunnam as Ed Gein. Known for roles in Sons of Anarchy and Rebel Moon, Hunnam underwent a dramatic transformation for the role, adopting a combover hairstyle, plaid attire, and a chilling demeanor. In an interview with Netflix’s Tudum, Hunnam said, “I wanted to get as close as possible to who Ed was, to do him justice, and for this thing to feel authentic. This is going to be the really human, tender, unflinching, no-holds-barred exploration of who Ed was and what he did.” His performance is already generating Emmy buzz, with fans praising his ability to embody Gein’s unsettling mix of meekness and menace.
Joining Hunnam is Laurie Metcalf as Augusta Gein, Ed’s religiously devout and verbally abusive mother, whose influence is central to the story. Tom Hollander plays Alfred Hitchcock, the legendary director whose 1960 film Psycho was inspired by Gein, while Olivia Williams portrays Hitchcock’s wife and collaborator, Alma Reville. Suzanna Son stars as Adeline Watkins, described as Gein’s friend and possibly his only romantic connection, though her role remains somewhat mysterious. The cast also includes:
- Vicky Krieps as Ilse Koch, a controversial figure possibly tied to Gein’s story through thematic parallels.
- Lesley Manville as Bernice Worden, Gein’s final victim, whose murder led to his arrest.
- Joey Pollari as Anthony Perkins, the Psycho actor who portrayed Norman Bates.
- Charlie Hall as Deputy Frank Worden, Bernice’s son.
- Tyler Jacob Moore as Sheriff Schley, who investigated Gein’s crimes.
- Mimi Kennedy as Dr. Mildred Newman, a psychologist linked to Anthony Perkins.
- Will Brill as Tobe Hooper, the filmmaker behind The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
- Robin Weigert as Enid Watkins, potentially related to Adeline.
- Addison Rae as Evelyn Hartley, a missing teen possibly connected to Gein.
This ensemble brings depth to the series, blending historical figures with fictionalized characters to explore both Gein’s life and his cultural ripple effects.
Production Details: A Meticulous Craft
Monster: The Ed Gein Story is an eight-episode season, with Ian Brennan writing all episodes and directing two (304 and 305), while Max Winkler directs the remaining six, including the finale. The series is executive produced by Murphy, Brennan, Winkler, Eric Kovtun, Scott Robertson, Nissa Diederich, Louise Shore, Carl Franklin, and Hunnam himself. Filming began in November 2024, with principal photography starting October 31, 2024, and took place in Chicago, among other locations. Production wrapped before the August 2025 announcement of the October 3 release date, and the series is now in post-production.
The show is produced by Ryan Murphy Productions and Prospect Films, with Lionsgate Television overseeing distribution. Brennan has called this season “the best of the three,” praising its unflinching approach to Gein’s story. The inclusion of Hollywood figures like Hitchcock and Hooper suggests a meta-narrative, examining how Gein’s crimes were sensationalized and immortalized in pop culture. The series’ visual style, as seen in the trailer, leans into stark, cold aesthetics, with snow-covered landscapes and dimly lit interiors amplifying the horror.
Cultural Context and Controversy
Monster: The Ed Gein Story follows the massive success of its predecessors. Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022) garnered over 1 billion hours viewed, becoming Netflix’s fourth most-watched English-language series, while Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (2024) debuted at number one globally with 19.5 million views in its second week. Both seasons sparked controversy, with Dahmer’s victims’ families criticizing the series for exploitation and the Menendez brothers objecting to their portrayal. Monster: The Ed Gein Story may face similar scrutiny, given Gein’s crimes occurred over 60 years ago, potentially distancing living relatives but not diminishing the horror for victims’ descendants. One X post expressed concern: “With fresh horrors dominating the news feeds every day, Murphy’s latest deep-dive into the worst of humanity is the last thing we need right now.” Yet, others argue the series’ historical focus and cultural commentary justify its exploration, with a Reddit user noting, “The Psycho and Texas Chain Saw connections make this a must-watch for horror fans.”
Gein’s influence on horror is undeniable. His crimes, uncovered in 1957, inspired Milwaukee novelist Robert Bloch’s Psycho (1959), which Alfred Hitchcock adapted into the 1960 film. Elements of Gein’s life—his obsession with his mother, grave-robbing, and skin masks—shaped Norman Bates, Leatherface, and Buffalo Bill. Murphy’s own American Horror Story: Asylum drew from Gein for the character Dr. Oliver Thredson, showing his long-standing fascination with the killer. The series aims to unpack this legacy, exploring how Gein became “history’s most singular ghoul” and why society remains captivated by such figures.
Why It Matters
Monster: The Ed Gein Story is poised to be a cultural event, blending true-crime drama with horror and Hollywood history. Its exploration of Gein’s mental health, isolation, and toxic family dynamics offers a human lens on a monstrous figure, while its focus on his influence on films like Psycho and The Silence of the Lambs appeals to cinephiles. The series’ release on October 3, 2025, aligns perfectly with the spooky season, inviting viewers to binge all eight episodes for a chilling experience.
With a powerhouse cast, a visionary creative team, and a trailer that’s already sparked intense reactions, Monster: The Ed Gein Story promises to be both horrifying and thought-provoking. As Ian Brennan told Tudum, “It’s really mind-blowing how influential one strange man in the middle of Wisconsin in a barn can be.” Whether you’re a true-crime aficionado, a horror enthusiast, or simply curious about the origins of modern horror, this series is set to unmask the darkness of Ed Gein’s legacy—and our fascination with it.
