From the first scene of the first episode, you can tell straight away that it’s going to be a very creepy but disturbing series. There’s an unsettling tone that sets in immediately, and it doesn’t really let up. You almost feel uncomfortable even before anything truly horrifying happens, which is a credit to how well it’s made.
I struggled even to watch the first episode, but I kept going to see what happens next. I would recommend not watching it at night though it might honestly give you nightmares. The visuals, the sound design, and even the quiet moments all add to the eerie atmosphere that lingers long after you’ve turned it off.
The season focuses on convicted murderer, graverobber, and suspected serial killer Ed Gein. He might not be as recognised as Dahmer or Bundy, and technically he only killed two people, but his crimes were so bizarre and grotesque that they’ve left a massive mark on popular culture. Investigators believe he desecrated many female graves with horrifying creativity. Sometimes he even returned the bones after he was done with them. He would strip the flesh from the bodies to create objects out of human remains. It’s just so unfathomable you can’t quite believe that someone could actually do that.
The story devotes a major part to showing the horrific crimes committed by the Nazis, illustrating how humanity is capable of terrible acts that can hardly ever be justified. It draws unsettling parallels between historical atrocities and Gein’s own descent into madness, forcing viewers to confront just how dark the human mind can get.
The acting throughout the series is incredibly strong and believable. Charlie Hunnam plays Ed Gein with a chilling subtlety he doesn’t have to scream or overact, yet you sense the tension simmering beneath the surface of his calm manner. Hunnam reportedly lost over 30 pounds in preparation for the role.
His transformation is convincing; he manages to make Gein both repellent and almost pitiable in momentary flashes, which is far more disturbing than a one-dimensional monster. The supporting cast also deserves praise: the actors portraying the townspeople, the victims, and the investigators react with raw fear, sorrow, and disbelief. Their performances ground the story, reminding you that this is not just stylised horror these were real people and real consequences.
You can’t fault the pacing. It’s tense but never rushed, and the way the series weaves together the past and the present is really effective. The creative links to Psycho are especially fascinating Alfred Hitchcock, Robert Bloch, and Anthony Perkins revisit and explore the details of Gein’s crimes while developing Psycho, which was based on Bloch’s novel inspired by him. Seeing how real-life horror was turned into one of cinema’s most iconic thrillers adds another layer of unease.
Overall, Monster: The Ed Gein Story isn’t an easy watch, but it’s a powerful and chilling one. It’s disturbing in all the right ways, showing not just the man himself, but the culture and curiosity that kept his story alive.
The performances, atmosphere, and pacing all come together to create a series that feels both haunting and deeply human. If you can stomach it, it’s worth watching just maybe not alone and definitely not before bed.