From Ed Gein to Jeffrey Dahmer, Netflix’s Monster series reveals how real-life killers shaped the horror genre we know today.
Netflix’s Monster anthology series has captivated audiences with its chilling exploration of real-life murderers, delving into the minds of some of the most infamous criminals in American history. From Jeffrey Dahmer to Ed Gein, the series has not only reignited public fascination with true crime but also highlighted how these real-life figures have profoundly influenced the horror genre. In particular, Ed Gein, the focus of the third season (Monster: The Ed Gein Story), stands out as a figure whose gruesome crimes forever changed the landscape of horror movies.
The Monster Series: A Deep Dive into True Crime
The Netflix anthology series Monster debuted in 2022 with Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, a harrowing portrayal of the notorious Milwaukee Cannibal. The first season’s success paved the way for subsequent seasons, including Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (2024), which explored the infamous Menendez brothers, and the latest installment, Monster: The Ed Gein Story (2025). While the Menendez brothers’ case diverged from the serial killer theme, the series returned to its roots with Ed Gein, whose crimes have left an indelible mark on both true crime and horror fiction.
Season 3 not only dramatized Gein’s macabre life but also included fictionalized appearances of other infamous killers like Ted Bundy, Richard Speck, and Charles Manson. These dream sequences and fabricated storylines added a surreal layer to the narrative, emphasizing the cultural and psychological impact of these figures.
Ed Gein: The Real-Life Boogeyman
Ed Gein, often referred to as the “Butcher of Plainfield,” was a Wisconsin-based murderer and grave robber whose crimes were discovered in 1957. Gein’s horrifying acts—such as exhuming corpses to create macabre items like lampshades and clothing—shocked the nation. While Gein was only convicted of two murders, his grotesque behavior and obsession with human anatomy inspired some of the most iconic villains in horror cinema.
Gein’s story became the blueprint for fictional characters like Norman Bates in Psycho (1960), Leatherface in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), and Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs (1991). These characters, while fictional, embody the terror and revulsion that Gein’s crimes evoked, cementing his legacy as a real-life influence on the horror genre.
How Ed Gein Changed Horror Movies
Before Ed Gein’s crimes came to light, horror films often relied on supernatural elements—ghosts, vampires, and werewolves—to scare audiences. Gein’s story, however, introduced a new kind of horror: one rooted in the grotesque realities of human behavior. His crimes blurred the line between fiction and reality, forcing audiences to confront the unsettling idea that the true monsters might be human.
The Birth of Psychological Horror: Gein’s influence shifted the focus of horror from external threats to internal, psychological ones. Films like Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho explored the fractured mind of Norman Bates, a character inspired by Gein’s unhealthy relationship with his mother and his descent into madness.
The Rise of the Slasher Genre: Gein’s gruesome acts also laid the groundwork for the slasher genre. Leatherface, the chainsaw-wielding antagonist of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, was directly inspired by Gein’s use of human remains to create furniture and clothing. The film’s gritty, visceral style set a new standard for horror, emphasizing raw, unrelenting terror.
The Humanization of Monsters: Gein’s story highlighted the complexity of human monsters, portraying them as products of their environment and psychological trauma. This nuanced approach influenced films like The Silence of the Lambs, where Buffalo Bill’s disturbing behavior is rooted in his identity struggles and past abuse.
The Enduring Legacy of Ed Gein in Pop Culture
Ed Gein’s influence extends far beyond the horror genre. His crimes have been the subject of countless books, documentaries, and TV shows, including Netflix’s Monster series. By dramatizing Gein’s life, the series not only sheds light on his crimes but also explores the societal fascination with true crime and the blurred line between fact and fiction.
The inclusion of other infamous killers in Monster: The Ed Gein Story—albeit in fictionalized dream sequences—further underscores the cultural impact of these figures. Characters like Ted Bundy and Charles Manson have become symbols of evil, their stories serving as cautionary tales and sources of morbid curiosity.
Conclusion
Netflix’s Monster series has reignited interest in the dark corners of human history, with Ed Gein’s story serving as a chilling reminder of the horrors that lurk in reality. Gein’s crimes not only shocked the world but also reshaped the horror genre, inspiring some of its most iconic characters and themes. As the series continues to explore the lives of infamous criminals, it invites viewers to reflect on the enduring fascination with true crime and the ways in which real-life monsters influence our understanding of fear.
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