This divisive true-crime horror series dominates Letterboxd – even with its brutal reviews

Over the years, movies and TV shows have been successful and broken records for good and bad reasons. With Ryan Murphythe latest series with Netflix, Monster: The Ed Gein Storyit seems to be the case. While the third season of Monster reigning supreme on the streaming service since its release on October 3, in addition to becoming the top trending TV show on Letterboxd, the series has received brutal and mixed reviews.

Currently, the series holds a 53% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, an even lower 18% rating from critics, and an average of 3.0 stars on Letterboxd. It’s a disappointing reception, and it’s the worst of the series so far.

What is “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” about?

Season 3 of Monsters tells the story of Ed Gein (Charlie Hunnam), a notorious killer and grave robber, nicknamed “the godfather of all serial killers” and the “butcher of Plainfield”. Set in the 1950s in the small village of Plainfield, Wisconsin, the series follows Gein to his family’s crumbling farm, following that of his mother Augusta (Laurie Metcalf) health problems and eventual death in 1945. Due to his obsession with his mother and her reclusive lifestyle, Gein soon gives in to his darkest desireskilling women and turning their body parts into furniture.

In 1957, the police became aware of Gein’s crimes and he was arrested. However, instead of being convicted and sentenced for his crimes, Gein was found unfit to stand trial and diagnosed with schizophrenia. As the show shows, he lived out the rest of his years in a mental institutionwhere he remained until his death from cancer and respiratory illness in 1984.

Drawing on Gein’s story, the eight-episode series also dove into Gein’s influence in the media and other serial killers. In one episode, for example, Alfred Hitchcock (Tom Hollander) was inspired by Gein’s crimes and created his Oscar-nominated film, Psychologyin 1960. It is also worth noting that the series suggests that even though Gein lived out his days in a mental institution, he continued to do good, notably helping the police find fellow serial killer Ted Bundy. The series also features Suzanne Son, Addison Rae, Lesley Manville, Olivia WilliamsAnd Vicky screams.

Why is “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” receiving such brutal reviews?

There are several reasons why Monster: The Ed Gein Story was criticized by the public. Firstly, it seems that the term “inspired by a true story” has taken on new life in this series, with complete storylines are invented and fictionalized for viewers. As an example, there is no evidence that Gein became an FBI informant in the Ted Bundy case, much less helped them catch him. But the Spirit Hunter the moment certainly provided good television.

According to Collider Therese Lacson in his review, the series is as “lumpy and sloppy as the comics Ed reads, a product of sensationalism, rage-baiting and misinformation.” Of course, the fictional moments were not only picked up by fans, but also picked apart by them. According to Letterboxd reviews, by making up storylines, the series not only misinformed the public, but also disrespected Gein’s victims. “So we just make stuff up now?” wrote one reviewer. “Extremely disrespectful to the victims and their families.”

The show’s biggest crime isn’t what you think

Another highly criticized aspect of the series was the series’ lack of focus and diversion into several other stories. By making Gein a victim used by Hitchcock himself during the making of Psychologyor someone who had a redemption arc by helping catch Bundy, the series confuses and distracts from the central point: Gein’s horrific crimes.

“Monster: The Ed Gein Story transforms a true horror into a fantastical hodgepodge of absurdities that humanizes the killer while trivializing his victims,” ​​one reviewer wrote on Rotten Tomatoes. Additionally, Hunnam’s portrayal of Gein, which was praised online by audiences and critics alike, also left some viewers scratching their heads. With a childish, wispy voice, Hunnam’s character comes across as evil and haunting, but like a caricature. nevertheless.

With so much criticism around Monster: The Ed Gein Storyit’s almost surprising how successful and popular the series has become. After all, the series has secured the top spot on Netflix and Letterboxd for the past month, and there’s no sign of that changing anytime soon. But as viewers continue to tune in and loudly voice their disapproval, the question arises: Are viewers tuning in just to criticize him? Are they listening only to confirm the rumors? Only time will tell.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story is now streaming on Netflix.