Netflix’s Monster: The Ed Gein Story has sparked controversy ahead of its release, with Charlie Hunnam’s portrayal of the infamous killer drawing criticism from viewers.
The true crime anthology, created by Ryan Murphy, first gained attention with Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story in 2022, which was followed by a season on Lyle and Erik Menendez. Both instalments attracted significant audiences but also widespread criticism from families of victims and viewers.
The third season focuses on Ed Gein, whose crimes in 1950s Wisconsin included grave robbing, necrophilia, and murder. His actions inspired horror characters such as Norman Bates, Leatherface, and Buffalo Bill.
The series trailer, released earlier in September, shows Hunnam in states of undress and in a scene caressing a corpse, prompting online accusations that Murphy was “sexualising” the killer.
Comments across Reddit and social media described the depiction as “glamorising” Gein, with some users comparing it to previous backlash over Dahmer.
Further debate arose following Hunnam’s interview with Variety, where he described Gein as “one of the more gentle monsters.”
He explained, “We tell a very, sort of, varied version, like an all-encompassing version of who he was. The gruesomeness, but there’s also… you see the human in him.”
Critics online rejected this framing, while others defended the series as an exploration of Gein’s cultural impact and how his crimes reshaped horror cinema.
On Today, Hunnam said the series asks: “Who is the monster? This boy who did terrible things, or the filmmakers who sensationalised him?”
Despite the controversy, anticipation remains high. Monster: The Ed Gein Story premieres on Netflix on October 3 2025.
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