"Some might think that they're unfamiliar with Gein's story, but what's far more likely is that you're aware of his saga, you just didn't know that it was his. Psycho 's Norman Bates is famously based on Gein, with other major pop culture films pulling from his history - but far more loosely - as well. What's discussed far less often is the true story of a mentally ill man with an abusive and then devastating relationship with his mother."
"On paper, Monster: The Ed Gein Story focuses on two key narrative questions: What is the basis of monstrosity (and whether or not we can truly classify Gein as such), and what our actions can inspire. In execution, the series is high on its own farts. Which is fitting, because The Ed Gein Story has all of the impact of a wet one."
"Broadly speaking, Ed Gein - the third installment in Murphy and Brennan's Netflix anthology series - is made well enough from a technical perspective. No one's questioning whether or not the creators have the eye. It's admirably shot, and the gore looks solid enough. However, we all need to collectively agree that we won't accept anything less than simply casting fat actors, because the prosthetics on Tom Hollander's face (he's playing Alfred Hitchcock here) look absurd."
Monster: The Ed Gein Story centers on questions of monstrosity and the influence of actions. The series fails to convey Ed Gein's true story, replacing nuance with performative shocks. The execution prioritizes stylistic excess and crude humor, leaving the narrative impact minimal. Technical elements are competent: cinematography and gore effects are strong. Prosthetic makeup choices for Tom Hollander as Alfred Hitchcock appear unrealistic and distracting. The series occupies a tone that undercuts serious exploration of mental illness and abusive familial dynamics, resulting in a portrayal that many viewers seeking factual depth will find unsatisfying.
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