🔗 Share this article Monster: The Ed Gein Story – An In-Depth Look of Ryan Murphy's Grim Murder Show You've likely seen the Hitchcock classic, the iconic thriller, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Perhaps you've also explored the books that served as the basis for the first two films. Now it's time to encounter the individual who inspired Norman Bates, Buffalo Bill, and the chainsaw-wielding villain. The infamous Ed Gein! The first two seasons of the series in question centered around the Milwaukee monster – an individual possessing widespread notoriety. Then came the sibling duo – a somewhat specialized story for enthusiasts of the genre. Now the spotlight turns to the Plainfield Ghoul. Although he doesn't possess the brand recognition of Dahmer, Bundy, or Gacy, and only killed two people, his grave desecrations and gruesome creativity with the deceased have left a lasting mark. Even now, any film or show featuring mutilated bodies, flayed skin, or skin-based artifacts likely draws inspiration to Gein's exploits from many decades past. A Dismissive Approach Do I sound flippant? This appears to be the intended style of the creators. It's uncommon to witness a television series that lingers so gleefully on the worst depredations a person – and mankind – can commit. This includes a significant plotline devoted to Nazi atrocities, shown with minimal moral context. Effective Pacing and Narrative Structurally and stylistically, the series excels. The pacing is flawless, and the clever interweaving of past and present is executed brilliantly. Viewers witness Charlie Hunnam as the killer in action – the homicides, tomb violations, and assembling his collection. Simultaneously, the present-day narrative follows Alfred Hitchcock, Robert Bloch, and Anthony Perkins as they develop Psycho from the literary source. The blending of factual elements – his devout parent and his obsession with female doppelgangers – and fictionalized scenes – lurid portrayals of Ilse Koch and Nazi party scenes – is executed proficiently. A Critical Shortcoming What it lacks, and unforgivably so, is any moral dimension or deeper insight to offset the lingering, loving shots of Gein's depraved acts. The series portrays his rich inner world and frames him as a helpless individual of his controlling parent and a morbidly fascinated girlfriend. The underlying suggestion seems to be: What is a poor, schizophrenic guy to do? During a key moment, the novelist theorizes that without seeing certain images, Gein would have remained a small-town simpleton. A Departure from Precedent You could argue that a show from this stable – renowned for sleek, exaggerated aesthetics – is the wrong place for deep psychological exploration. But previous works like the OJ Simpson trial drama offered sharp analysis on media and justice. The Versace murder story delved into celebrity and society. The Clinton scandal series scrutinized embedded misogyny. Thus, it is possible, and Murphy has done it. The Final Verdict But not here. The Ed Gein Story feels like a commercialization of an underexploited true crime story. It demands sympathy for the individual responsible without offering genuine insight into his transformation. Aside from the reductive "devout parent" explanation, there is no attempt to understand the creation or avert similar tragedies. This is merely gratuitous spectacle to the basest instincts of viewers. The wartime sequences do have excellent cinematography, though.