The newest chapter of Ryan Murphy’s Monster anthology series focuses on the infamous Ed Gein — but how did the narrative conclude for this notorious murderer?
Season 3, titled Monster: The Ed Gein Story, debuted on Friday, October 3, featuring Charlie Hunnam in the role of the notorious killer and grave robber. Netflix’s rendition delved into the events leading up to Gein’s transformation into a convicted felon responsible for robbing graves and crafting furniture from human remains.
This eight-episode season also reflected on how Gein’s heinous acts contributed to the rise of true crime as a cultural phenomenon, influencing iconic films like Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs.
Following his arrest for two murders, Gein was deemed unfit for trial and moved to a mental health facility. He was later diagnosed with schizophrenia and received support for his condition through medication.
The show’s finale portrayed Ed’s fantasies shifting from mere dreams of killing to visions where he believed he assisted the FBI in capturing Ted Bundy (John T. O’Brien). Following a cancer diagnosis, he had a visit from Adeline (Suzanna Son), whom he urged not to follow in his deadly footsteps.
Ed then encountered visions of various killers he inspired, who lauded him before he reunited with a vision of his mother (Laurie Metcalf). The last scene of Monster depicted teenagers vandalizing Gein’s gravestone before being frightened off by the fictional portrayals of Gein — including Norman Bates, Buffalo Bill, and Leatherface — as Hunnam’s Gein looked on.
Before the credits roll, there’s a poignant flashback to a moment between Gein and his mother, who remarked, “Only a mother could love you.”
“We wanted to climax our story with a deep examination of mental illness and its impact on Ed,” Hunnam revealed in a discussion with Tudum following the series premiere. “Had he received appropriate treatment earlier, one must wonder if he would have committed those acts. I was deeply moved to tears reading that particular scene multiple times.”
He further reflected: “He dwelled in that unique world, where the boundaries of his reality and fantasies were indistinguishable from anything else. Those heightened experiences were simply his existence at the time.”
Murphy expressed gratitude for the show’s approach in offering a diagnosis for Gein.
“Every episode hinged on that moment. What was miraculous about that episode was that the take we see in the show was Charlie’s first attempt, which he nailed superbly,” Murphy shared. “I cried while speaking to [Charlie] on the phone twice. His performance truly resonated with me.”
The creators of Monster aimed to spark discussions surrounding mental health.
“I was particularly interested in the societal responsibility towards individuals suffering from mental illness and crises,” Murphy elaborated. “Ed served as a poignant example for this discourse. After his capture, he was quickly diagnosed and provided excellent care by society. He was transferred to various hospitals, receiving appropriate treatment and medications.”
He concluded: “Historically, we were a nation that cared for those with mental disorders. There were systems and facilities in place. We aim to explore how these systems have deteriorated over time. What I appreciate about [episode 7] is that it demonstrates the potential positive impacts of proper care — and the consequences of financial cuts to those programs.”
Monster is available for streaming on Netflix.
