Ed Gein’s disturbing true story is gripping audiences again, thanks to Netflix’s new season of Monsters, officially titled Monster: The Ed Gein Story. The series dives into the infamous crimes of Ed Gein and how his legacy continues to shape horror in popular culture. This article explores the new show, addresses historical facts versus fiction, updates on the cast, answers popular questions about Gein and Bundy, and covers Alfred Hitchcock’s connection to the case.
Headliner Spotlight
- American serial killer Ed Gein served as the inspiration for movies such as Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
- Police discovered the remains of at least ten women in his house after he admitted to killing two of them.
- Gein, who plays Charlie Hunnam in Monster: The Ed Gein Story on Netflix, admitted to authorities that he dug up the graves of women who made him think of his mother.
Did Ed Gein Help Catch Ted Bundy?
Ed Gein and Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho: Real-Life Connections
Ed Gein’s horrific crimes directly inspired the character of Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film Psycho (1960). Though Hitchcock never met Gein, the parallels are striking: Both Norman and Gein were obsessed with their mothers and kept their bodies after death.
Many horror films, including The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Silence of the Lambs, drew from Gein’s gruesome acts. Netflix’s show reenacts this cinematic connection, featuring Tom Hollander as Alfred Hitchcock and Joey Pollari portraying Anthony Perkins, who played Norman Bates in the film adaptation.
When Did Ed Gein Die?
Ed Gein, also known as Edward Theodore Gein, died on July 26, 1984, at the age of 77.
He passed away from respiratory failure linked to cancer at the Mendota Mental Health Institute in Madison, Wisconsin. Gein was buried in the Gein family plot in Plainfield Cemetery, Wisconsin, though his gravestone was eventually stolen due to public fascination.
Monster: The Ed Gein Story: Cast & Show Details
Charlie Hunnam leads the Monster: The Ed Gein Story cast as Ed Gein. The cast also features Laurie Metcalf as Augusta Gein (Ed’s mother), Tom Hollander as Alfred Hitchcock, Olivia Williams as Alma Reville (Hitchcock’s wife), and Joey Pollari as Anthony Perkins. Other notable cast members include Emraan Hashmi, Vicky Krieps, Suzanna Son, and Prakash Raj. The show’s blend of real and fictional characters drives its chilling narrative.
Ed Gein’s Voice and Influence in Popular Culture
Netflix explores Gein’s chilling psychological profile, including how he struggled to distinguish voices in his head from reality. This portrayal draws from historical accounts and is dramatized for tension in the show. Gein’s legacy—his crimes and broken psyche—continues to influence popular horrific characters and the entire “serial killer” genre.
The show has sparked renewed public debate over the fine line between dramatization and fact, especially with audiences questioning ‘did Ed Gein help solve the Ted Bundy case?’ and sharing reactions online under hashtags like #EdGeinMonster and #MonstersNetflix.
Ongoing News: Netflix’s Monster Renewed
Netflix confirmed that after Gein’s story, the Monster anthology will continue. A new season centering on Lizzie Borden is in development, proving the series’ wide appeal and success at bringing notorious real-life criminals to shocking life on screen.
Edward Theodore Gein
July 26, 1984
No, this is a fiction in the Netflix series
Charlie Hunnam
Gein inspired Norman Bates in Hitchcock’s Psycho film
Monster: The Ed Gein Story is streaming now on Netflix
Stay tuned as “Monsters” continues to expand the true crime genre, balancing horror, drama, and factual storytelling.