Co-Creator of Netflix’s ‘Monster’ Rejects Accusations of Sensationalism

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Netflix’s newest true-crime series, Monster, tells the story of serial killer Ed Gein. Called Monster: The Ed Gein Story, the show is sparking debate, with some critics claiming it sensationalizes crime, similar to previous installments about the Menendez Brothers and Jeffrey Dahmer. However, the show’s star, Charlie Hunnam, and co-creator, Ian Brennan, disagree and have publicly defended their work.

Ryan Murphy, the creator and a director of the series, recently discussed the show’s impact with *The Hollywood Reporter*. He explained that the story heavily focuses on the killer’s psychological state, noting that Ed Gein’s brain functioned differently, preventing him from processing and compartmentalizing disturbing images. Gein was found legally insane during his 1960s trial. His crimes famously inspired classic horror films like *Psycho*, *The Texas Chain Saw Massacre*, and *The Silence of the Lambs*.

Brennan discussed the series and the criticism that it sensationalizes murder. He argues that fully telling the story requires showing difficult details, and that the show’s main focus is on depicting a man struggling with mental illness.

The show consistently avoids sensationalism, demonstrating that focusing *too* much on the dark aspects of a story can be a mistake. It emphasizes the importance of telling a complete and honest story, even when it includes difficult or disturbing elements.

Honestly, I’m not blown away by this season. It’s actually quite good, but it really focuses on a peculiar and significant figure from the 20th century. It’s the story of a reclusive, troubled man living in rural Wisconsin who unexpectedly had a huge impact on popular culture.

You know, I was listening to Charlie Hunnam talk about the show, and he made a really good point. He basically said he hopes all the discussion around it will actually get people to tune in. But more than that, he’s confident they really dug deep into *why* this character did what he did – a genuine look at what makes people tick. And honestly, that’s what I’m most excited about as a viewer – a show that makes you think and feel something real.

‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story’ Is a Complete Turnaround for Charlie Hunnam


Netflix

Charlie Hunnam is best known for his work on the TV show *Sons of Anarchy* and the movie *Pacific Rim*. He hasn’t done much horror, with *Crimson Peak* being his biggest role in the genre, and that’s intentional – he admits he’s not a fan of horror. However, he was drawn to this project because of the unusual way the character of Gein was presented, and also because Ryan Murphy was producing.

As soon as I agreed to take on this role, I immediately regretted it. I began researching Ed Gein, reading everything I could find, and quickly became overwhelmed with anxiety. I honestly worried I wouldn’t be able to recover from immersing myself in such a disturbing character. It’s incredibly dark to portray someone like this.

I had a real turning point when I started reading the scripts. I realized we weren’t going to focus on *what* the character did, but rather *why* he did it – trying to understand the person beneath the villain. That’s what made me say yes, almost entirely because I really liked working with Ryan.

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2025-10-08 19:40