ed gein netflix review

The Netflix series "Monster: The Ed Gein Story" has received largely negative and mixed reviews. Critics describe it as an unfocused, overly graphic retelling of the infamous serial killer Ed Gein's life and crimes. The show attempts to portray Gein as a human being shaped by isolation, psychosis, and obsession with his mother but fails to provide a coherent narrative or deep psychological insight, focusing instead on sensational and grotesque content. Reviewers note that the series is thematically inconsistent, fluctuating between grim seriousness and campiness. While Charlie Hunnam's committed portrayal of Ed Gein and Laurie Metcalf's performance as his mother are praised, the show suffers from excessive graphic depictions of violence and lacks a clear purpose beyond shock value. The series also attempts to connect Gein's real-life crimes to his influence on horror pop culture and other serial killers, but this connection, while interesting, feels shallow and underdeveloped. Overall, "Monster: The Ed Gein Story" is seen as a problematic but ambitious Netflix true crime anthology installment that prioritizes disturbing imagery over nuanced storytelling, leaving audiences conflicted about its merit and message.