Mindhunter Reference in Monster: The Ed Gein Story Finale Explained

Fans of true crime were delighted when Monster: The Ed Gein Story provided an unexpected tie-in to the popular series Mindhunter.

In the series finale, which aired on Friday, October 3, Monster showcased their portrayal of Ted Bundy, played by John T. O’Brien, as FBI agents John Douglas (Sean Carrigan) and Robert Ressler (Caleb Ruminer) pursued him.

Their investigation led them to Jerry Brudos (Happy Anderson), also known as the Shoe Fetish Slayer, who, while lacking the desired information, pointed them toward Ed Gein (Charlie Hunnam).

“We aimed to emphasize that through Silence of the Lambs, he indeed impacted Mindhunter as well,” said showrunner Ian Brennan in an interview with Tudum on Friday. “It felt like a fitting conclusion to incorporate this cinematic language and highlight how he was instrumental during the formative years of FBI profiling.”

This encounter led to a discussion between Gein and three agents, including Ann Burgess (Megan Ketch), who traveled across the country interviewing notorious serial killers for insights into their psychological profiles. This sequence may have evoked memories for viewers of the brief Netflix series Mindhunter.

Mindhunter drew inspiration from the 1995 publication Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit, detailing the inception of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit in the late 1970s, which laid the groundwork for criminal profiling. Apart from Monster illustrating the connection to a real team of agents, it also featured Anderson, 48, reprising his role as Brudos from Mindhunter.

The show featured talents like Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, and Anna Torv, aired for two seasons, but was placed on indefinite hiatus as executive producer David Fincher chose to focus on different projects. Despite prior hints at a potential revival, Fincher confirmed in 2023 that the series has officially concluded.

Recently, McCallany, 62, hinted at the possibility of a third installment on Netflix.

“I recently had a meeting with David Fincher at his office, and he shared that there’s a chance it could return as a series of three two-hour films,” he mentioned to CBR in June. “I know there are writers involved, but ultimately, it’s about David being pleased with the scripts.”

McCallany added: “I penned a script that he offered constructive feedback on. We spent two and a half years revising, and he was incredibly detailed, which I believe is why he is the top director in Hollywood. I left that meeting with a glimmer of hope, but it would require a constellation of circumstances to align.”

Groff has also previously expressed his enthusiasm for the potential continuation of the show.

“For me, Mindhunter signifies Fincher. The whole journey for me was truly an honor, to work with him,” he shared with The Hollywood Reporter in 2021. “If he decides to reignite the series, I’ll be on board immediately. But I trust his vision and direction, so I always leave it to him.”

Both Monster and Mindhunter are currently available for streaming on Netflix.