Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Monster: The Ed Gein Story

Ryan Murphy had a hit and miss 2025. However this is the first season not helmed by Murphy, with Brennan serving as the sole creator and writer.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story is the third season of the American biographical crime drama anthology television series Monster, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan for Netflix. 

This season focuses on convicted murderer, grave-robber, and suspected serial killer Ed Gein, portrayed by Sons of Anarchy Charlie Hunnam. The season incorporates meta commentary on the cultural obsession with true crime, exploring Gein's influence on Hollywood and pop culture.

The cast also includes Suzanna Son, Vicky Krieps, Laurie Metcalf, and Tom Hollander. 

It is the third instalment in the Monster anthology series, following Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022) and Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (2024). 

The series explores the life of convicted murderer and body snatcher Ed Gein through allusions to fictional cultural works inspired by his crimes, such as Psycho (1960), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), and The Silence of the Lambs (1991).

Now I am hella late to the third run of the Monster anthology. Upon its premiere, the season received negative reviews and was deemed inferior to its predecessors, with critics panning its meta commentary, subplots, runtime, excessive graphic violence, and factual inaccuracies. 

While critical responses to Hunnam's performance were divided, he ultimately received nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film and the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries.

But like All's Fair (which I liked WAY more than this) Murphy is a TV producing icon. So it's no surprise a fourth season (based on parricide suspect Lizzie Borden) will land on Netflix in the future. For every miss (or critical miss) Murphy has, there is always a MONSTER hit just around the corner. Like the first run of this series, The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.

So for those of you who have finished the eight episodes, read on. If not, come back when you have....

In the 1970s, Ted Bundy abducts, sexually assaults and kills his victims, cutting off their heads. FBI special agents Robert Ressler and John E. Douglas interview serial killers like Jerry Brudos for offender profiling and Ed, after many have expressed admiration for him. 

He theorises that Bundy seeks his mother in his victims and advises them on the kind of hacksaw Bundy might use. Imprisoned murderer Richard Speck forwards to Ed a letter which Bundy has written to Speck. 

Ed in turn gives it to the police, ultimately leading to Bundy's capture. After the arrest, Ed imagines meeting all serial killers who were inspired by him or idolise him.

In the 1980s, Ed is diagnosed with lung cancer and told he has only months to live. Roz, who has become a friend to him, encourages him to write his own story, saying that many people have distorted his story, but he refuses. 

Adeline visits Ed one final time, confessing her own instability and intent to harm others; Ed urges her to abandon revenge. He later dies peacefully, imagining a reunion with his mother Augusta, who tells him he has "made a name for himself".

In 2000, a group of young people vandalises and steals Ed's gravestone. 

One of the youths imagines the film characters inspired by Ed: Norman Bates, Leatherface, and Buffalo Bill.

Another series, that could have been halved. The last few episodes really felt like filler and overall the series did not reach the heights of previous seasons, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story & Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

Honestly I hope the next season is a lot better than this one. Critics were mostly right. This wasn't the best. Whilst I'm catching up on some Netflix content from 2025, they really do rely on their big titles to carry them throughout the calendar year.

Until next time. Bula - I'm off to Fiji!