Netflix recently released *Monster: The Ed Gein Story*, the latest in Ryan Murphy’s *Monster* series, detailing the life of convicted murderer Ed Gein. Starring Charlie Hunnam, the show quickly topped Netflix’s charts. However, it’s received significant criticism, and now Netflix has added another true crime drama that many viewers are finding superior, making *Monster: The Ed Gein Story* and previous installments of the *Monster* series seem less impressive by comparison.
As a movie buff, I recently checked out *My Friend Dahmer*, which came out in 2017. It’s based on a graphic novel by John Backderf, who actually went to high school with Jeffrey Dahmer. What’s really interesting is that Backderf knew Dahmer before he started committing those terrible crimes in 1978. Instead of focusing on the gruesome details, the movie takes a surprisingly human approach. It’s less about the serial killer and more about the awkward, lonely kid Dahmer was *before* he became the monster everyone knows. It’s a really compelling watch, and critics seem to agree – it’s sitting pretty at 87% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Monster: The Ed Gein Story Is a Weird, Odd Series That Muddles Its Message
Despite being titled *Monster: The Ed Gein Story*, the series focuses more on the impact of Gein’s crimes on horror films like *Psycho* and *The Texas Chain Saw Massacre* than on Gein himself. Interestingly, there’s no proof Gein actually inspired *Psycho*, either the novel or the movie. The series also takes liberties with the facts of Gein’s life, creating a highly fictionalized and inconsistent portrayal of the killer. Ultimately, it’s a strange and oddly constructed show.
The Ed Gein story isn’t the first time the show *Monster* has faced criticism for its portrayal of notorious killers. The first season, *The Jeffrey Dahmer Story*, received similar complaints. While the creator tried to avoid celebrating Dahmer and to criticize the culture that does, many felt the show ended up being exploitative itself. The Dahmer season also upset the families of his victims, who were deeply hurt by the show using their loved ones’ experiences for entertainment.
Unlike *Monster*, the film *My Friend Dahmer* was commended for being realistic and offering a complex, though unsettling, understanding of its subject. Its thoughtful approach really highlights the shortcomings of the *Monster* series on Netflix, making it seem less impressive in comparison.
Both Monster: The Ed Gein Story and My Friend Dahmer are currently streaming on Netflix.
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2025-10-12 02:12