The Netflix series "Monster: The Ed Gein Story" blends fact and fiction in its portrayal of Ed Gein. Key facts depicted in the show include Gein's troubled relationship with his domineering mother and his two confirmed murders of Mary Hogan and Bernice Worden, who resembled his mother. However, many events in the series, such as the murder of his brother Henry and multiple other killings, are fabricated or dramatized. The series also fictionalizes elements like Gein's romantic relationship with Bernice Worden and some of the more extreme acts of violence, drawing inspiration from horror films influenced by Gein rather than historical records. In reality, Gein was known to have grave- robbing behavior and was found guilty due to insanity for the murder of Mary Hogan, with only two confirmed victims. The disappearance of Evelyn Hartley and certain violent scenes portrayed in the show are not supported by evidence of Gein's involvement or actions. The show uses dramatization to explore Gein's mental illness and cultural impact on horror films, but it takes significant creative liberties with many specific incidents.
