When it comes to Ryan Murphy, you know you’re in for a visually disturbing crime spree. From American Horror Story to Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Murphy has as knack for taking true stories and twisting them into cultural talking points that everyone can’t stop dissecting.
Now he’s back with Netflix’s next instalment of the Monster anthology, The Ed Gein Story – and one unsettling diner scene in the trailer might just put you off milkshakes for good.
This season turns its gaze on one of America’s most infamous criminals, Ed Gein, the reclusive Wisconsin grave robber and murderer whose crimes became the blueprint for some of Hollywood’s scariest villains.
In true Murphy ethos, the first look promises a blend of psychological horror, gothic Americana, and his signature mix of the grotesque and the glamorous.
In the trailer, Charlie Hunnam appears almost unrecognisable as Gein, a quiet, awkward and unsettlingly tender before the footage cuts to disturbing glimpses of his crimes.
“There’s something real dark about you, Eddie Gein”, one line intones. An unsettling delivery that feels loaded with subtext of the horrors that await the audience.
Ryan Murphy has hinted the show isn’t just about murders but about how Gein transformed into a monster.
As Hunam told People: “Of all the monsters, he was one of the most gentle… there’s a duality to him that was fascinating to play”.
Now with the trailer finally here, we’re getting a glimpse at how Netflix plans to retell one of America’s most haunting true stories.
What Is Monster: The Ed Gein Story About?
Set in 1950s rural Wisconsin, the series follows Gein’s descent into madness, shaped by his obsession with his mother, Augusta, and his increasingly odd and disturbing behaviour.
The show digs into his grave robbing, killings, and macabre creations made from human remains – a slew of crimes that horrified America and acted as the inspiration for film classics from Psycho to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Netflix describes the story as “a portrait not only of a killer, but of a cultural boogeyman who continues to haunt our imagination”.
In Murphy’s hands, Gein isn’t just a criminal case study but a cautionary tale that still shapes our idea of the monster.
Why Everyone’s Talking About Monster: The Ed Gein Story
With Hunnam’s unnerving transformation, Murphy’s flair for cultural commentary, and the enduring infamy of Ed Gein’s truly gruelling story, this season is already sparking conversation online.
Expect a hotbed of debates incoming about the ethics of dramatising real crime, questions about glorification versus understanding, and of course plenty of sleepless nights after binge-watching.
The series further cements Murphy’s repertoire as a seasoned auteur in the salacious true-crime drama space, blending cultural commentary with his trademark flair for the sensational.
Who Is In Monster: The Ed Gein Story?
Murphy has a reputation for unexpected casting, particularly in tapping the It-girls of the zeitgeist, and this season he’s turned his attention to Addison Rae, the pop star and actress is set to play Mary Hogan, a local tavern owner and one of Gein’s real-life victims.
Rae’s casting brings a haunting nuance to Murphy’s finely tuned, pop culture-driven storytelling, adding unexpected depth to what is already an impressive ensemble.
The rest of the cast list reads like a who’s who of an awards season lineup – the creator has made a name for himself in his choice of combining both legacy and rising stars in his casting.
- Charlie Hunnam as Ed Gein
- Laurie Metcalf as Augusta Gein
- Suzanna Son as Adeline Watkins
- Tom Hollander as Alfred Hitchcock
- Olivia Williams as Alma Reville
- Leslie Manville as Bernice Worden
- Vicky Krieps as Ilse Koch
- Joey Pollari as Anthony Perkins
- Will Brill as Tobe Hooper
When Will Monster: The Ed Gein Story Be Released ?
The series is expected to land on October 3, 2025, with all episodes dropping appropriately in time for spooky season.
Where Can I Watch The Trailer?
The official teaser trailer has been released as of September 16, which you can watch below in the interim, you can catch Murphy’s first instalment of the series, Monsters: The Lyle & Erik Menendez Story here.
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