SPOILER ALERT: This piece contains plot spoilers from “Monster: The Ed Gein Story,” now available on Netflix.
Following the explorations of Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez brothers, Netflix’s series “Monster” has released its third season focused on Ed Gein. Charlie Hunnam portrays Gein, who is overshadowed by his mother Augusta (Laurie Metcalf) and finds influence from a dark love interest, Adeline (Suzanna Son). Throughout, he interacts with victims like Bernice (Lesley Manville) and Evelyn (Addison Rae), while fantasizing about Nazi Ilse Koch’s infamous practices. The narrative also includes references to iconic horror films such as “Psycho” and “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” which drew inspiration from Gein’s gruesome actions.
This season, expertly handled by showrunners Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, features Brennan as the sole writer, while Max Winkler, an executive producer, directed nearly all the episodes. Winkler, known for his work on various Murphy productions like “American Horror Story,” recently began preparations for the next season of “Monster,” which will spotlight Lizzie Borden, played by Ella Beatty.
How did you ensure cohesion among multiple storylines, including murders and Hollywood’s portrayal of Gein?
Ryan guided Charlie and me through his vision for the series, posing the question, “Who is the monster?” We explored various interpretations—from Ed Gein to societal figures and even the filmmakers who sensationalized him. My collaboration with cinematographer Michael Bauman focused on depicting murders through a lens that felt both larger-than-life and grounded in reality, drawing inspiration from iconic scenes in films like “Psycho” to explore their cultural impact.
What strategies do you use to support actors during intense scenes?
In a pivotal scene where Charlie’s character receives a diagnosis, I recognized the emotional weight it carried for him. He had lost significant weight for the role and was deeply affected. I chose to focus solely on his performance to capture the raw emotions, and knowing when to halt filming rather than insisting on retakes proved essential for maintaining the authentic atmosphere that we had created together.
Were there any particularly challenging scenes to film?
The filming in freezing Chicago temperatures was especially tough, with temperatures plunging to -16 degrees. We required genuine snowfall, and thankfully, the skies provided snow at just the right moment as we started filming. We also navigated long shooting hours for emotionally charged scenes, such as the finale where Gein confronts the consequences of his actions.
How has this project shaped your understanding of empathy?
Working on this series has made me reflect on the complexities surrounding figures like Ed Gein, examining the roots of their behavior. Many societal issues correlate with such individuals’ actions, and while I found it difficult to empathize with certain characters, understanding Gein’s abusive background and psychological struggles offered a new perspective on his tragic story and the impact of dehumanization.
Can you elaborate on the fourth wall-breaking moment?
The moment in which Charlie addresses the audience raises a provocative question about the viewers’ role. By confronting the audience directly, it examines whether we are complicit in the sensationalization of such narratives, underscoring the moral complexities of storytelling in a media-saturated world.
