The Monster Series: The Ed Gein Story – A Review of the Producer's Dark Murder Show

You've likely seen Psycho, the iconic thriller, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Maybe you've even read the books that inspired the first two films. Now prepare to encounter the individual who inspired Norman Bates, Buffalo Bill, and Leatherface. The one and only Ed Gein!

The first two seasons of this anthology series centered around Jeffrey Dahmer – an individual possessing strong recognition. This was followed by the sibling duo – a more niche story for enthusiasts of the genre. Attention now shifts to the Plainfield Ghoul. Although he doesn't possess the brand recognition of other notorious killers, and his confirmed victims number just two, his postmortem violations and gruesome creativity with female corpses have made a profound impact. To this day, any media featuring dismembered remains, flayed skin, or items crafted from human tissue probably owes a debt to his actions from many decades past.

A Dismissive Approach

Do I sound flippant? It's clearly the intended style of the creators. It's uncommon to witness a television series that dwells so eagerly on the worst depredations a person – and humanity – can commit. This includes a substantial narrative strand devoted to Nazi atrocities, shown with minimal moral context.

Effective Pacing and Narrative

In terms of construction and style, the series excels. The pacing is flawless, and the skillful blending of different timelines is executed brilliantly. We see the actor as the killer in action – the homicides, grave robberies, and assembling his collection. Simultaneously, the present-day narrative follows the creative minds as they craft the iconic film from Bloch's Gein-inspired novel. The blending of the real – Gein's religious mother and his fixation with women resembling her – and fictionalized scenes – lurid portrayals of Ilse Koch and Nazi party scenes – is handled with technical skill.

A Critical Shortcoming

The missing element, in a truly unacceptable way, is any moral dimension or meaningful analysis to counterbalance the lingering, loving shots of his immoral deeds. The series portrays his rich inner world and positions him as a man at the mercy of his domineering mother and a morbidly fascinated girlfriend. The implied message seems to be: What is a poor, schizophrenic guy to do? In one scene, the novelist theorizes that without exposure to photographs, Gein would have remained an unremarkable local.

A Departure from Precedent

You could argue that a show from this stable – known for glossy, high-camp style – is an unlikely source for profound human insight. However, earlier series like The People v OJ Simpson offered sharp analysis on the press and the legal system. The Assassination of Gianni Versace delved into fame and culture. The Clinton scandal series examined embedded misogyny. So it can be done, and Murphy has done it.

The Final Verdict

Yet not in this case. The Ed Gein Story feels like an exploitation of a lesser-known criminal case. It demands sympathy for the man behind the masks without offering genuine insight into his transformation. Aside from the reductive "devout parent" explanation, there is little effort to comprehend the origins or prevent future cases. It is nothing but voyeuristic pandering to the lowest curiosities of the audience. The Nazi scenes do have excellent cinematography, though.