The new Netflix series Monster: The Ed Gein Story has taken the platform by storm, diving into the life of one of America’s most infamous criminals. The show blends the shocking true story of Ed Gein with the Hollywood movies his crimes later inspired. Here is a simple guide to the real people behind the characters in this chilling true crime drama.
The Butcher of Plainfield
At the center of the story is Charlie Hunnam as Ed Gein. The real Ed Gein was a handyman and farmer living in Plainfield, Wisconsin. In 1957, police discovered his “house of horrors,” finding gruesome artifacts made from human bones and skin. Gein confessed to killing two women and robbing numerous graves. The series shows his transformation from a troubled loner into the murderer known as the Butcher of Plainfield. Hunnam lost over 30 pounds for the role and studied a rare audio tape of the real Gein to capture his mannerisms.
The Gein Family
The show explores Ed’s twisted relationship with his family, particularly his mother.
- Laurie Metcalf plays Augusta Gein, Ed’s domineering mother. The real Augusta was a fiercely religious woman who taught her sons that all women were immoral. She died in 1945, which sent Ed into a deep emotional spiral. Her death is shown as a major trigger for his crimes.
- Hudson Oz portrays Henry Gein, Ed’s older brother. The real Henry died in a brush fire on the family farm in 1944. While the death was officially ruled an accident, the series presents a fictional version where Ed kills him during an argument.
The Women in Ed’s Life
The series introduces several key women whose lives intersected with Gein’s in reality and in fiction.
- Suzanna Son plays Adeline Watkins, a neighbor and sometime girlfriend. A real Adeline Watkins from Plainfield initially claimed she and Gein were engaged but later recanted her story. In the series, she is depicted as a kindred spirit who shares his dark fascinations.
- Lesley Manville appears as Bernice Worden, a local hardware store owner. In a major fictional twist, the show creates a romantic and sexual relationship between Worden and Gein. In reality, there is no evidence of such a relationship. The real Bernice Worden was one of Gein’s two confirmed murder victims. He was caught after a sales slip for antifreeze he purchased was found in her store on the day she disappeared.
- Rondi Reed plays Mary Hogan, a tavern owner. The real Mary Hogan was Gein’s other confirmed murder victim, killed in 1954.
- Addison Rae plays Evelyn Hartley, a babysitter. The real Evelyn Hartley was a teenager who disappeared in 1954. While Gein was questioned about her disappearance, he was officially cleared, and her case remains unsolved. Her murder in the series is a fictional addition.
The Hollywood Connection
A unique part of the series shows how Gein’s crimes inspired some of Hollywood’s most famous horror movies.
- Tom Hollander plays director Alfred Hitchcock. Hitchcock’s classic film Psycho was indeed inspired by the Gein case. The series shows Hitchcock learning about the crimes and developing the character of Norman Bates.
- Joey Pollari plays actor Anthony Perkins, the star of Psycho. The series explores Perkins’ experience playing the iconic role and the pressure of being typecast.
- Will Brill portrays filmmaker Tobe Hooper. Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre also drew inspiration from the macabre details of Gein’s crimes, particularly his use of human remains.
- Olivia Williams plays Alma Reville, Alfred Hitchcock’s wife and a talented screenwriter who collaborated closely with him.
Other Key Figures
The series includes other historical figures who influenced Gein or were influenced by him.
- Vicky Krieps appears as Ilse Koch, a Nazi war criminal known as the “Beast of Buchenwald.” The real Ed Gein was fascinated by stories of Nazi atrocities, and Koch, who was accused of making objects from human skin, served as a dark inspiration for his actions. In the show, she exists in his fantasies.
- The series also includes a character based on Christine Jorgensen, one of the first widely known American transgender women. The show addresses a historical myth that wrongly linked Gein’s pathology to gender identity, having Jorgensen’s character explicitly state that his violent acts were distinct from being transgender.
Ian Brennan, the show’s creator, said about the series’ theme: “It really matters what you look at and the images and stories you consume. They do stick with you, and they do have an impact.”
While Monster: The Ed Gein Story takes some creative liberties, it aims to explore the real man behind the monster and his lasting, dark influence on popular culture. The series streams on Netflix with eight episodes.
Also Read: Monster: The Ed Gein Story Draws 12.2 Million Viewers in Competitive Netflix Debut
Credits: Netflix Tudum
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