“Monster: The Ed Gein Story” review — a dark dive into a twisted mind

alright, this one’s heavy. Monster: The Ed Gein Story brings us deep into a chilling real-life horror, with Charlie Hunnam stepping into the role of one of the creepiest true crime figures ever. if you’re into dark, unsettling tales that make you squirm and think — this might be your jam. here’s what works, what doesn’t, and why it’s got people talking.

what is this show exactly?

charlie hunnam is front and center, trying to carry the load of portraying a disturbed, dangerous man. it’s a high-stakes role, and the show leans hard into psychological horror, tension, and atmosphere over explicit gore (though there’s plenty of unnerving moments).

what stands out (the good stuff)

• performance by Charlie Hunnam: he’s really committed. he nails that unsettling calmness, that thin line where a person looks normal on the surface but hides something rotten underneath. you feel his struggle, confusion, and chilling resolve.
• atmosphere & direction: this show doesn’t cheap out. sets, lighting, sound design — it’s moody, eerie, and often uncomfortable in just the right way. you’re never fully at ease.
• character depth (to an extent): the writers give us background — the trauma, relationships, inner yearnings — so it’s not just a “monster acts” narrative. there’s some attempt to understand why gein became who he was, without excusing it.
• restraint over shock: it doesn’t live just to shock or gore you out. there are horrifying acts, yes — but the real horror is in the mind, the buildup, the silence between actions.

where it struggles

• pacing issues: some episodes drag. there are stretches where you feel like not much is happening — tension is good, but filler is not.
• sympathy risk: when you dig deep into someone’s trauma, there’s danger in making them human enough that viewers might feel a strange empathy. the show skirts that line sometimes a bit too close.
• supporting characters: a few side characters feel underwritten. we see them, they have roles, but they don’t always feel fleshed out. we want more “who are these people in gein’s world?”
• predictability: for true crime fans, some arcs are expected. there aren’t many surprises for those who already know gein’s story. the challenge is keeping emotional impact when you know how it ends.

why it’s worth your time

if you like true crime with a psychological twist — not just brutal acts but the logic (or illogic) behind them — this show delivers. it gives you time to think, to feel uneasy, to sit with horror rather than be numbed by it. and Hunnam’s performance? worth watching alone.

it’s not for everyone — it’s dark, uncomfortable, and doesn’t pull punches. but horror buffs, true crime fans, and anyone who likes complex antiheroes might find themselves hooked.

final verdict

Monster: The Ed Gein Story is a haunting, sometimes uneven ride into the abyss of human darkness. it leans heavy on performance and atmosphere, and that’s both its strength and its burden. if you’re ready for a show that’ll sit with you long after the credits roll — and make you second-guess the face next to you — this one’s for you.