Was Psycho Written About Ed Gein? How Monster Rewrites Alfred Hitchcock’s Masterpiece

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Few predicted Charlie Hunnam’s shift from being a popular star on *Sons of Anarchy* to playing a truly terrifying serial killer. However, his role in the latest installment of Ryan Murphy’s *Monster* series on Netflix has established him as a major force in horror. The series is intensely violent, creates a deeply unsettling mood, and explores the disturbed mind of a notorious American murderer, often blurring the line between the true crime and the fictional horrors it influenced.

Even with all its intense violence, the show’s most surprising moment might be its recreation of the famous shower scene from Alfred Hitchcock’s *Psycho*. However, instead of being part of a movie within the show, it depicts the real-life killer Ed Gein committing the act. The scene then takes a strange turn, as the camera pulls back to show an audience watching this horrific event in a theater, reacting with excitement and shock—a disturbing reflection on how society often turns real criminals into cultural icons.

Monster Season 3 Is the Show’s Most Controversial One Yet

As a big fan of these kinds of shows, I was completely hooked when Netflix dropped *Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story* back in 2022 – it was a massive hit and really got people talking about the ethics of true crime adaptations. The follow-up, focusing on the Menendez brothers, was a bit more of a courtroom thriller. Now, with *The Ed Gein Story*, they’re going right back to the source of what *really* scares us – it’s a return to classic horror roots, and honestly, I’m excited!

As a lifelong horror fan, I’ve always been fascinated by the real-life stories that creep into our favorite films. One of the most disturbing? Ed Gein. This guy, living in Wisconsin in the 1950s, wasn’t just a murderer, he was a grave robber with a seriously twisted obsession with his mother. He’d dig up bodies and… well, let’s just say he used the remains to create things like furniture and even clothing. It’s horrifying, but his crimes ended up being the chilling inspiration for classics like *Psycho*, *The Texas Chain Saw Massacre*, and *The Silence of the Lambs*. Knowing the real story behind those films just adds another layer of creepiness, honestly.

When Charlie Hunnam took on the role, viewers anticipated a disturbing show, but the creators, Murphy and Ian Brennan, went further than anyone expected. The series treads a delicate balance between genuinely frightening art and potentially exploitative content. The initial trailer, with Hunnam’s intense gaze and glimpse into the character’s dark inner world, immediately captivated many. However, some critics argued that Netflix was once again romanticizing the idea of serial killers, particularly given Hunnam’s attractive and charismatic presence.

Even though it’s sparked debate, the show is a huge hit, currently ranking number one on Netflix’s list of most-watched programs. Reviewers have applauded its impressive visuals, unsettling sound design, and unique storytelling, particularly how it mixes reality with imagination to examine the history of American horror. However, some critics have also criticized it for being sensationalistic and for presenting excessive gore and violence as if they were simply a stylistic choice, rather than something disturbing. The show currently maintains .

The Show Recreated Psycho’s Iconic Shower Scene With a Twist

As a movie fan, I think it’s safe to say the shower scene in *Psycho* is one of the most famous moments *ever* filmed. Hitchcock’s 1960 film didn’t show much gore, but he used quick editing, those incredibly tense violin sounds, and just a glimpse of the knife to create real terror. It totally changed how suspense was built in movies and basically started the slasher film craze we still see today.

The series *Monster: The Ed Gein Story* directly confronts a classic horror trope. A particularly shocking scene shows Hunnam, as Gein, fantasizing about attacking his love interest, Adeline (Suzanna Son), in the shower. The scene intentionally echoes *Psycho*, replicating its camera angles, lighting, and even the famous curtain reveal, but this time, it’s clear that Gein is the one with the knife. The result is a violent, unsettling, and deeply personal moment.

Murphy’s vision doesn’t end with that scene. The film then shifts to a 1960s movie theater where people are watching *Psycho*, visibly shocked and captivated. The camera focuses on their reactions, all while the real-life person who inspired the film remains at large. This creates a disturbing layer of meaning: Hollywood transformed someone’s suffering into a source of entertainment, and audiences readily embraced it.

The film also draws inspiration from Ed Gein in a particularly disturbing scene. Charlie Hunnam’s character brutally murders a woman he’s kidnapped, hoping to save her job so he can earn money for his wedding. This sequence clearly references *The Texas Chain Saw Massacre*, featuring a hammer attack and a blood-splattered bucket – a direct nod to the original film’s climactic scene with Sally, and again, the film cuts to behind-the-scenes footage.

Throughout the show, director Alfred Hitchcock (played by Tom Hollander) and author Robert Bloch frequently discuss the Ed Gein case, the creation of the film *Psycho*, and the tricky balance between using a true story for art and potentially exploiting it. These conversations highlight how Hollywood benefited from Gein’s crimes – *Psycho* wouldn’t have been possible without him. Hitchcock also reflects on how presenting such shocking material to audiences may have unleashed a fascination with darkness and violence, creating a hunger for more disturbing content.

What Is Real and What Is Myth?

Like other episodes of *Monster*, *The Ed Gein Story* blends factual events with fictionalized storytelling. While the main details of Gein’s crimes – including the murders of Mary Hogan and Bernice Worden, his fixation on his mother, and his disturbing collection of keepsakes – are based on what really happened, the show adds dramatic details and inventions to his life story.

The series creates fictional storylines – including romances, new family connections, and imagined dialogues between the killer and infamous people, like the Nazi criminal who inspired his horrific acts (portrayed by Vicky Krieps). While these additions make for captivating viewing, they contribute to a major concern with the show: that it romanticizes a murderer instead of clearly condemning his crimes.

The actor brings a compelling blend of sadness and fixation to the character of Gein, making him both someone you feel sorry for and someone frightening. It’s a subtle performance that shows his humanity without justifying his actions – a tricky feat for any actor. However, it raises a bigger issue: is it right for movies and TV shows to recreate the stories of killers like Gein? After the series *Dahmer* received criticism from the families of victims who felt it re-traumatized them, Netflix promised to be more careful with similar stories in the future. But many viewers believe this series goes too far with its violent and imagined scenes.

Why Are Some Fans Calling the Show “Crap?”

“Monster: The Ed Gein Story” is more than just a retelling of a true crime; it’s a chilling exploration of why we’re so fascinated by horror. The series cleverly recreates a famous Hitchcock scene from the perspective of Ed Gein, the man who inspired it, making viewers question how we contribute to the mythologizing of killers. While it’s not without flaws – some moments are overly sensational, and it takes creative liberties with the facts – the show ultimately works because it forces us to examine our own obsession with true crime and notorious figures.

With each new season of Ryan Murphy’s *Monster* series, viewers debate whether it’s insightful social commentary or simply shocking television made to look sophisticated. The latest installment, *The Ed Gein Story*, is particularly controversial because it doesn’t offer easy answers. Some find it exploitative, beautifully filmed but ultimately lacking in substance. It features graphic violence, disturbing themes, and frequent references to films like *Psycho* and *The Texas Chain Saw Massacre*, leaving viewers to question whether it’s paying tribute or simply indulging in sensationalism.

Those who defend the show say it doesn’t aim to provide comfort or teach a lesson. Instead, it challenges viewers to examine their own attraction to disturbing subjects. The show focuses on the audience’s obsession with true crime – how we treat killers like stars and consume horror stories based on real tragedies. By recreating the famous shower scene from *Psycho*, and showing people enjoying a fictionalized murder, the creator isn’t celebrating the real-life killer. He’s criticizing anyone who views true horror as simply entertainment.

What sets this series apart is its self-awareness, transforming it from simple shock value into a thoughtful look at culture. The repeated references to Hitchcock emphasize this point. Hitchcock was a master of building suspense by *suggesting* terror, while Murphy’s *Monster* reflects a modern style that relies on explicit displays of gore and shock. The story of Ed Gein, therefore, isn’t just a horror tale; it’s a statement about how the horror genre has changed, and how audiences now expect increasingly graphic content, leaving little to the imagination.

Charlie Hunnam’s performance reinforces this idea. He doesn’t play the character as charming or over-the-top; instead, he’s unsettlingly normal. The show deliberately avoids making him appealing, forcing the audience to feel uneasy. Hunnam portrays him as a deeply lonely and delusional man, not a larger-than-life villain. This is a strong departure from the common trope in popular culture – seen in shows like *Joker* and *You* – of portraying killers as sympathetic or heroic figures.

It’s a strange mix, and that’s typical of Murphy’s work. The film *Monster: The Ed Gein Story* is simultaneously sensational and insightful, disturbing yet intelligent, and exploitative while also being thought-provoking. It doesn’t try to excuse itself or ask for your approval; it wants to spark discussion. The film examines how we consume media, our fascination with real-life criminals, and the entertainment industry’s habit of constantly revisiting these dark figures.

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2025-10-06 19:58