Osgood Perkins Slams ‘Monster’ Season 3 Over “Netflix-ization of Real Pain”

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Horror director Osgood Perkins, known for films like Longlegs and The Monkey, has publicly shared his negative opinion of the Netflix true crime series Monster. He wasn’t impressed, to say the least.

The latest season of this often-debated series focuses on the infamous serial killer Ed Gein. Interestingly, the show connects to actor Anthony Perkins – Gein’s crimes inspired Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film Psycho, in which Perkins’ father starred. The series explores this connection, even featuring a storyline about the Psycho actor grappling with Gein’s disturbing actions and hidden personal life. Osgood Perkins, Anthony’s son, has said he wouldn’t be able to bear watching this part of the show.

The director recently criticized shows like those on Netflix that dramatize true crime events. He seems to be reacting to how one series portrays his father during a difficult time in his life, even though he hasn’t seen it himself. In the third season of Monster, there’s a deeply unsettling scene where the director, Alfred Hitchcock, suggests to the young actor that his personal, hidden desires can inspire his performance as a villain.

According to Osgood, shows like Monster lack proper background information and are turning real suffering into entertainment. He believes that by focusing on ‘actual events,’ true crime stories are becoming distorted and unnecessarily sensationalized, creating a false sense of drama and importance.

Anthony Perkins tragically passed away in 1992 after battling AIDS-related health issues. He’s remembered for his significant impact on horror films, but portrayals like the one in Monster unfortunately oversimplify his life. His son, Osgood, has explained that his father led a private life that wouldn’t have been accepted by mainstream society, regardless of whether he identified as gay, bisexual, or something else. Osgood points out that society still struggles with accepting people who don’t fit neatly into one category.

Did Netflix’s ‘Monster’ Season 3 Make an Impact With Its Portrayal of Ed Gein?


Netflix

Despite any controversies, Ryan Murphy’s true crime series Monster consistently delivers strong acting. The first season particularly highlighted Evan Peters, who gave a compelling performance as Jeffrey Dahmer, attempting to portray the killer with a degree of humanity. This performance won him a Golden Globe award.

The second season of the show dramatized the infamous 1980s case of the Menendez brothers, who were convicted of murdering their parents. The season featured a strong cast, including Javier Bardem playing José Menendez, and received award recognition with nominations for both Emmy and Golden Globe awards.

Charlie Hunnam delivers a truly impressive performance as Ed Gein in Season 3, potentially one of the year’s best. While Monster: The Ed Gein Story isn’t bad television, and Hunnam is excellent as the Butcher of Plainfield, the season ultimately loses momentum. This happens particularly when the writer, Ian Brennan, feels pressured to include unnecessary Hollywood drama.

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2025-10-27 17:02