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Monster: The Ed Gein Story is the third season of the Netflix anthology Monster. Charlie Hunnam takes on the chilling role of Ed Gein, the real-life murderer and grave robber, playing him with a disturbing mix of vulnerability and menace. He’s supported by Laurie Metcalf as his domineering mother, Augusta, and Tom Hollander portraying Alfred Hitchcock in a metafictional twist — tying Gein’s life to the cinematic monsters he inspired. The series was developed by Ian Brennan and overseen by Ryan Murphy, with Max Winkler directing much of the season. Hunnam has said that he felt significant pressure playing such a dark, psychologically complex figure, and described the role as emotionally taxing.

Critically, the season has been met with strong backlash. Many reviewers criticize it for sensationalising Gein’s crimes rather than offering a thoughtful exploration of his psyche. Some argue that the show leans too heavily into stylised horror, fictional subplots, and shock value — distracting from any deeper commentary on mental illness or the nature of evil. There’s also concern about historical inaccuracy and how the series humanizes Gein at the expense of his real-life victims. While Hunnam’s performance is often cited as a high point, critics largely describe the overall show as morally ambivalent, unfocused, and exploitative.

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