Netflix’s Monster series, created by Ryan Murphy, has reclaimed its position at the top of the streaming charts. According to FlixPatrol, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, released on October 3, is now the number one show globally. It has surpassed competition from top shows like Wayward, House of Guinness, Alice in Borderlands and and others.
The Monster franchise has already seen tremendous success with previous seasons focusing on Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez brothers. Despite its popularity, the series holds a low score of 48% on Rotten Tomatoes. The show faced criticism for its perceived exploitative portrayal of real-life criminals.
Despite its controversial approach, Monster remains a massive draw for Netflix audiences.
Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s Approach to the Monster Series
Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s Monster series has consistently aimed to dig deeper into the stories of notorious criminals rather than simply sensationalizing their actions. In an interview for a Variety cover story, co-creators Murphy and Brennan addressed the criticism the show often faces, especially regarding its portrayal of figures like Dahmer and the Menendez brothers. Murphy said,
We’ve always felt wildly misunderstood about this show, from day one.
He pointed out that the Dahmer season was intended to focus on father-son relationships and social justice, especially as seen in Niecy Nash-Betts’ character. It was the “beating heart” of the series.
Murphy has made it clear that their aim is not just to exploit the crimes but to provoke thought about mental illness, trauma, and justice. The Ed Gein season follows this same pattern. Portrayed by Charlie Hunnam, it focuses on the life of murderer Ed Gein.
Murphy explained that the show’s goal is to “provoke the question,” in this case, about America’s ongoing mental health crisis. Gein, a high-profile sufferer of mental illness who committed gruesome crimes, is framed as both a victim and perpetrator. Murphy also revealed that those kinds of stories fuel the show’s run.
What’s Next for Ryan Murphy’s Monster Series?
The next season of the Monster series is already in the works. Season 4 will explore the infamous case of Lizzie Borden, the woman accused of axing her parents to death. Ella Beatty will play the role of Lizzie Borden. This season will shift focus on the female murderers as Murphy said, “It’s a female ‘Monster’ season.”
Murphy also revealed that this season will not only focus on Borden but also examine other female figures historically branded as “monsters.” He cited Aileen Wuornos and Countess Elizabeth Báthory.
While the debate over Murphy’s Monster series ethics remains heated, there’s no denying its success.
Have you seen Monster: The Ed Gein Story yet? What do you think about how far creators should go in humanizing real-life monsters for the sake of storytelling? Let us know your thoughts.
Monster: The Ed Gein Story is now available to stream on Netflix (US).
