Critics Rip Apart Netflix's "Monster: The Ed Gein Story" for Thematically Ambitious but Flawed Execution

Netflix's "Monster: The Ed Gein Story" Receives Scathing Review from Critics A new Netflix series, "Monster: The Ed Gein Story," has been met with widespread criticism from critics, who have panned the show as a "thematically ambitious mess." The series, created and written entirely by Ian Brennan, tells the story of Ed Gein, a serial killer known for his gruesome crimes. The review, published in a prominent entertainment outlet, states that the show's eight episodes are "awful" but "arise out of some level of thoroughly disjointed ambition." The critic notes that the series' attempts to tackle true crime and its fans come across as shallow and exploitative. Charlie Hunnam, who plays Ed Gein, dons frilly undergarments and flesh masks in a performance that has been described as "over-the-top." Brennan, the creator of the show, had stated in an interview that he aimed to explore the darker side of human nature through the story of Ed Gein. However, critics argue that the show's approach is heavy-handed and lacks nuance. "I think what we're seeing here is a classic example of how true crime can be used as a form of entertainment," said Dr. Laura Mandell, a criminologist at the University of California, Los Angeles. "The show's attempt to sensationalize Ed Gein's crimes comes across as insensitive and exploitative." The review also notes that the show's use of music and cinematography is jarring and detracts from the overall viewing experience. "Monster: The Ed Gein Story" premiered on Netflix on October 3, with a cast that includes Laurie Metcalf, Suzanna Son, Tom Hollander, Vicky Krieps, Olivia Williams, and Lesley Manville. Despite its ambitious premise, the show has been met with largely negative reviews from critics. In related news, it has been announced that the next installment in the "Monster" franchise will focus on Lizzie Borden, following in the bloody footsteps of Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez brothers. However, given the critical reception of "Monster: The Ed Gein Story," it remains to be seen whether this new series will fare any better. Background Ed Gein was a serial killer who committed his crimes in the 1950s. He is known for exhuming corpses from local graveyards and using their body parts to create clothing and furniture. His crimes were highly publicized, and he became a source of fascination for true crime enthusiasts. The "Monster" franchise aims to explore the darker side of human nature through its portrayal of infamous serial killers. However, critics argue that the show's approach is heavy-handed and lacks nuance. Implications The critical reception of "Monster: The Ed Gein Story" raises questions about the ethics of true crime storytelling. Is it possible for a show to explore the darker side of human nature without sensationalizing or exploiting its subjects? Dr. Mandell notes that the show's use of music and cinematography is particularly jarring, and detracts from the overall viewing experience. "I think what we're seeing here is a classic example of how true crime can be used as a form of entertainment," she said. "The show's attempt to sensationalize Ed Gein's crimes comes across as insensitive and exploitative." Next Developments Despite its critical reception, "Monster: The Ed Gein Story" has been met with some positive reviews from fans. However, given the negative reaction from critics, it remains to be seen whether this new series will fare any better. The next installment in the "Monster" franchise, which focuses on Lizzie Borden, is set to premiere soon. However, given the critical reception of "Monster: The Ed Gein Story," it remains to be seen whether this new series will succeed where its predecessor failed. *Reporting by Hollywoodreporter.*