monster ed gein review

The series "Monster: The Ed Gein Story," part of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's anthology, has received mixed to negative reviews. Critics describe it as a graphic, unfocused, and sometimes disjointed portrayal of Ed Gein, aiming to explore the man behind the notorious crimes that inspired iconic horror villains like Norman Bates and Leatherface. However, the show's ambition to create a grand narrative linking Gein to the broader culture of serial killers often falls short due to narrative chaos and an overemphasis on grotesque details rather than character depth. Charlie Hunnam's performance as Ed Gein is noted as intense and committed, though his portrayal as a soft-spoken simpleton can be distracting. The show tries to humanize Gein while also critiquing society's morbid fascination with true crime and violence, but it struggles to balance these themes effectively. The relationship between Gein and his mother, a potentially rich focus, is underused after the initial episode. Some episodes, especially the police discovery of Gein's crimes, stand out as well-paced, but overall the series is seen as overly extended and at times sensationalist or unpleasantly graphic. In summary, "Monster: The Ed Gein Story" is recognized for strong performances and a noir atmosphere but criticized for lacking cohesion and relying too much on shock value without deeper insight into Gein's psyche or the cultural impact of his crimes.