Ryan Murphy‘s ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story’ Premieres on Netflix: Charlie Hunnam Delivers Chilling Performance in True-Crime Horror

In a spine-tingling addition to Netflix’s horror lineup, Ryan Murphy‘s latest entry in the Monster anthology series, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, has made its global debut, plunging viewers into the macabre world of one of America’s most notorious killers. Starring Sons of Anarchy alum Charlie Hunnam as the enigmatic Ed Gein, this eight-episode saga unearths the gruesome crimes that shocked 1950s Wisconsin and inspired iconic horror classics like Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho and Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Available now for streaming, the series promises to redefine true-crime horror with its unflinching gaze at human depravity.

Ed Gein’s real-life atrocities—grave-robbing, murder, and the creation of grotesque artifacts from human remains—have long fascinated and repelled audiences. Murphy, known for his provocative storytelling in shows like American Horror Story and Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, brings his signature blend of psychological depth and visceral terror to this tale. As Netflix continues to dominate the horror genre, Monster: The Ed Gein Story arrives at a time when true-crime adaptations are surging in popularity, with the streaming giant reporting a 25% increase in horror viewership hours in the past year alone.

Unearthing the Grave Secrets of Ed Gein’s Wisconsin Nightmare

The small town of Plainfield, Wisconsin, in the 1950s was a picture of rural Americana—until November 1957, when police discovered the mutilated body of hardware store owner Bernice Worden hanging in Ed Gein’s shed. This horrific find unveiled a house of horrors: lampshades made from human skin, furniture upholstered with flesh, and a collection of body parts sourced from local graves. Gein, a reclusive 51-year-old handyman, confessed to the murders of Worden and tavern owner Mary Hogan in 1954, though he was suspected in many more disappearances.

Born in 1906 to a domineering mother, Augusta Gein, who preached fire-and-brimstone religion, Ed grew up isolated on their remote farm. Augusta’s death in 1945 left Gein unmoored, leading to his nocturnal excavations of cemeteries. Psychologists later diagnosed him with schizophrenia, but his crimes were driven by a macabre obsession with his mother and a fetishistic fixation on female anatomy. Gein’s case file, declassified in parts over the years, reveals he exhumed over 40 graves, targeting middle-aged women who resembled Augusta.

In Monster: The Ed Gein Story, Ryan Murphy doesn’t shy away from these details. The series opens with stark reenactments of the discovery, using practical effects to mimic the squalor of Gein’s farmhouse. Executive producer Ian Brennan, who collaborated with Murphy on Dahmer, told Variety in a recent interview, “Ed Gein’s story is the root of modern horror. We’re not glorifying; we’re dissecting the monster society helped create.” This approach mirrors the Monster anthology’s ethos, which has already grossed Netflix over 856 million viewing hours for its Dahmer installment, according to Nielsen data.

Gein’s influence extends beyond his crimes. Norman Bates in Psycho was directly inspired by him, as was Leatherface in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Even Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs draws from Gein’s skin-wearing tendencies. By premiering on Netflix, the series taps into this cultural vein, educating a new generation about the man who blurred the line between reality and nightmare. Historians note that Gein’s trial in 1968, where he was found unfit to stand trial and committed to a mental institution until his death in 1984, highlighted early flaws in the American justice system’s handling of mental illness.

Ryan Murphy Crafts a Psychological Horror Masterpiece in the Monster Universe

Ryan Murphy, the Emmy-winning showrunner behind Netflix’s Monster series, has built a career on exploring the darkest corners of the human psyche. With Monster: The Ed Gein Story, he expands his anthology to include yet another infamous figure, following the success of the Jeffrey Dahmer chapter. Murphy’s involvement began when Netflix greenlit the Monster franchise in 2022, aiming to serialize real-life monsters with high production values and A-list talent.

The series boasts a budget exceeding $10 million per episode, funding elaborate period sets that recreate 1950s Wisconsin with meticulous detail—from the foggy farmlands to the tense sheriff’s office. Murphy, who directed the pilot episode, employs his trademark visual flair: shadowy cinematography by Ace Sato and a haunting score by Mac Quayle, known from Mr. Robot. In a press junket, Murphy explained, “Gein’s story isn’t just about gore; it’s about isolation, repression, and the American dream gone wrong. We’re using horror to probe why someone like him emerges from such ordinary soil.”

Critics are already buzzing. Early reviews from The Hollywood Reporter praise the series for balancing historical accuracy with dramatic tension, scoring it an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes based on initial screenings. The Monster format allows for deep dives: each season spotlights a different killer, with Gein’s arc spanning his childhood trauma to his arrest and institutionalization. Supporting cast includes Emma Thompson as a fictionalized psychologist probing Gein’s mind and Bill Camp as Sheriff Art Schley, who led the investigation.

Murphy’s horror pedigree shines through in subtle ways. Flashbacks interweave Gein’s devout upbringing with hallucinatory sequences, echoing the supernatural elements of American Horror Story. Netflix’s data analytics played a role in the production; the platform’s algorithms predicted high engagement from true-crime fans, who streamed over 1.5 billion hours of similar content in 2023. This strategic placement positions Monster: The Ed Gein Story as a cornerstone of Netflix’s horror expansion, rivaling originals like Stranger Things and The Haunting of Hill House.

Charlie Hunnam’s Metamorphosis into the Enigmatic Ed Gein

Charlie Hunnam, best known for his rugged role as Jax Teller in Sons of Anarchy, undergoes a profound transformation in Monster: The Ed Gein Story. At 43, Hunnam sheds his biker persona to embody the awkward, soft-spoken Gein, relying on mannerisms and makeup to convey quiet menace. His preparation was intense: months of research at the Wisconsin Historical Society, where he pored over Gein’s letters and trial transcripts, plus dialect coaching to nail the Midwestern twang.

“Playing Ed was like stepping into a void,” Hunnam shared in an exclusive Entertainment Weekly interview. “He’s not a snarling villain; he’s a broken man shaped by loss. Ryan pushed me to find the humanity beneath the horror.” Hunnam’s commitment includes gaining 20 pounds to match Gein’s stocky build and wearing prosthetic appliances for the more disturbing scenes. His performance has drawn comparisons to Evan Peters’ chilling turn as Dahmer, with both actors earning praise for humanizing their subjects without excusing their actions.

The casting choice was deliberate. Murphy sought an actor who could pivot from action-hero types to psychological depths, much like Hunnam’s work in Green Street Hooligans or Pacific Rim. Co-star Emma Thompson noted Hunnam’s on-set intensity: “Charlie would stay in character during breaks, mumbling to himself like Gein. It was eerie, but brilliant.” Viewers can expect Hunnam in nearly every frame, as the series adopts a Gein-centric narrative, exploring his daily routines—from farm work to his secret nocturnal rituals.

Behind the scenes, Hunnam advocated for sensitivity toward Gein’s victims. The production consulted with descendants of Bernice Worden, ensuring their stories are honored. This ethical layer adds weight to the horror, making Monster more than mere entertainment. Hunnam’s post-release schedule includes promoting the series at horror conventions, signaling his embrace of the genre.

Netflix’s Bold Bet on True-Crime Horror Pays Off with Monster’s Gein Chapter

Netflix has long been a powerhouse in horror, but Monster: The Ed Gein Story marks a pivotal escalation in its true-crime horror strategy. Since acquiring the rights to the Monster anthology in 2021, the streamer has seen exponential growth: horror titles accounted for 15% of its top 10 global charts in 2023, per Parrot Analytics. Gein’s relatively lesser-known story (compared to Dahmer or Bundy) allows Netflix to educate while entertaining, targeting the 70 million U.S. households subscribed to true-crime podcasts.

The platform’s marketing blitz includes teaser trailers featuring Hunnam’s haunted eyes and Gein’s infamous mask, garnering 50 million views on YouTube within the first week. Partnerships with horror influencers and podcasts like Last Podcast on the Left have amplified buzz. Netflix’s chief content officer, Bela Bajaria, stated in a company earnings call, “Monster is our answer to the demand for smart horror. Ed Gein’s tale fits perfectly, blending history with heart-pounding suspense.”

Comparatively, the series outpaces competitors. Hulu’s Candy and HBO’s The Act tackled real crimes but lacked Monster‘s scale. Statistics show true-crime horror boosts retention: viewers who binge such series are 40% more likely to renew subscriptions, according to Netflix’s internal metrics. Challenges remain, however—critics of true-crime content argue it sensationalizes trauma, a point Murphy addresses by donating a portion of proceeds to mental health initiatives in rural America.

Global appeal is key. While rooted in American history, the series resonates internationally; early international streams from the UK and Australia spiked 30% post-premiere. Netflix’s localization efforts, including subtitles in 20 languages, ensure accessibility. As horror evolves, Monster: The Ed Gein Story sets a benchmark, proving that delving into real monsters can captivate without cheap thrills.

Looking ahead, the Monster anthology shows no signs of slowing. Ryan Murphy has teased future seasons on figures like the Zodiac Killer and Aileen Wuornos, with production slated for 2025. For fans, this Gein installment isn’t just a watch—it’s an invitation to confront the shadows in everyday life. As Hunnam puts it, “Horror reminds us that monsters are made, not born.” Stream it now on Netflix and prepare to be unsettled.

• Key Production Facts: Filmed in Vancouver standing in for Wisconsin; runtime 8 episodes, 45-60 minutes each.
• Viewer Advisory: Contains graphic violence and disturbing imagery; not suitable for all audiences.
• Where to Watch: Exclusively on Netflix worldwide.