Netflix’s Monster anthology takes a darker path with its latest instalment The Ed Gein Story. After the chilling portrayals of Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez brothers, the new season dives into the twisted world of Ed Gein, one of America’s most disturbing real-life figures.
The season follows Gein’s life as a convicted murderer, graverobber, and suspected serial killer, portrayed by Charlie Hunnam. Released earlier this week, the show sparked intense reactions online.
Viewers called it the weakest Monster entry so far, criticising its graphic violence, long runtime, and scattered subplots. Many said it lacked the emotional depth and psychological intensity of the previous seasons.
The story references classic horror films like Psycho, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs, all inspired by Gein’s crimes. Despite this creative approach, audiences found the execution exaggerated and tonally inconsistent.
Charlie Hunnam’s performance drew mixed reviews. Some praised his unsettling portrayal, while others found it overdone. Social media users called the series “disturbing” and “hard to finish.”
Still, The Ed Gein Story debuted at number two on Netflix’s global chart, recording nearly 12 million views in three days. Even with strong viewership, critics agree that this season failed to live up to the success of Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and Monster: The Menendez Murders.
