Monster’s Ed Gein star Charlie Hunnam jumps to defence of Netflix show against criticism

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After *Monster: The Ed Gein Story* came out, Charlie Hunnam spoke out to support the Netflix show.

Before the show came out, Charlie Hunnam, who plays the serial killer at the center of the story, explained to *The Hollywood Reporter* that he didn’t believe the show exploited the details of the real-life crimes committed by Ed Gein.

The actor said they never intentionally included anything unnecessary or shocking while filming. Everything was done to tell the story truthfully and with integrity.

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Hunnam wants the audience to wonder who the true villain of the story is. He asks, “Is it Ed Gein, a man who experienced abuse, isolation, and untreated mental illness, which then led to terrible actions?”

Or was the real monster the countless filmmakers who drew from his life, exaggerating the details for entertainment and, in doing so, contributing to a more troubled American mindset?

Currently topping the charts on Netflix, the TV show *Monster* has sparked some debate about its portrayal of Ed Gein. However, co-creator Ian Brennan insists the series aims to be sensitive, explaining that, at its heart, the show is a story about mental illness.

Ed Gein, known as the Butcher of Plainfield, is infamous as one of America’s most disturbing serial killers and grave robbers.

Ed Gein committed several crimes in his hometown of Plainfield, Wisconsin. In 1957, he was arrested, but doctors determined he had schizophrenia and wasn’t able to participate in a trial. As a result, he was sent to Central State Hospital in Waupun, Wisconsin, for long-term care.

After all that happened with Gein, his story really stuck with people. It ended up inspiring a ton of books and movies – I mean, even *Psycho*! Robert Bloch wrote the novel in 1959, and then Alfred Hitchcock turned it into the famous movie a year later. It’s crazy to think how one person’s story could have such a huge impact on pop culture, especially in horror!

Ed Gein’s crimes also served as inspiration for movies like *The Texas Chain Saw Massacre* (1974) and *The Silence of the Lambs* (1988).

In a recent interview with TV Line, Charlie Hunnam explained he carefully considered whether or not to take on the role of Gein. He said he spent a lot of time thinking about his reasons for doing so.

I prefer not to create content that’s negative or depressing. However, I believe it’s necessary to explore difficult themes – like the classic story of facing a dragon to find treasure. The ‘gold’ symbolizes hope and goodness, and you often have to confront darkness to discover that light.

If we want to understand the darker aspects of human nature and how people can do terrible things, it can be helpful to examine the reasons behind those actions. There might be something to be gained from looking closely at a person like this and what motivated them.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story is now available to stream on Netflix.

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2025-10-08 15:49