Netflix's Monster: The Ed Gein Story Sparks Controversy Over Historical Accuracy

Ryan Murphy's latest Netflix series, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, has sparked significant controversy due to its creative liberties with historical facts and its portrayal of the notorious murderer Ed Gein. While the series has been praised for its intense narrative and production value, critics and viewers have been frustrated by fabricated storylines, such as the romantic relationship between Gein and Adeline Watkins, the use of a chainsaw for murders instead of firearms, and fictionalized murders like that of Gein's brother and babysitter, Evelyn Hartley. The series also controversially depicts Gein assisting the FBI in capturing Ted Bundy, a scenario that did not occur in reality. Murphy has explicitly chosen not to feature Ted Bundy in the Monster franchise to avoid sensationalism and to encourage more meaningful societal reflection on crime. Despite the backlash, the series highlights Gein's influence on modern horror cinema, linking his crimes to iconic films such as Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs. The show has divided audiences between fascination with its horror legacy and discomfort with its narrative fabrications and perceived gratuitousness.