Netflix’s Monster series, created by Ryan Murphy, is known for portraying chilling stories about real-life serial killers. The first Dahmer series blew up on the platform, receiving widespread acclaim for the storytelling and performances. Viewers who watched the show were disturbed by the thriller and reconsidered making friends out of strangers.
With harrowing scenes and a stellar performance by American Horror Story legend Evan Peters, the first Monster entry is known to evoke a sense of psychological horror. The show did not shy away from graphic scenes of violence and torture by the serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, adding a little too much realism for the weak stomach to digest.
The miniseries dramatised Dahmer’s life, exploring the various crimes he committed and the failure of the system that allowed him to continue his killing spree. The narrative went beyond just Dahmer and showed us the impact Dahmer had on his neighbors and the general community.
The latest addition to the Monster franchise finds Charlie Hunnam in the titular lead as Ed Gein, a serial killer so infamous for his killings that he inspired Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and even The Silence of the Lambs. Much like the first one, this tells a gruesome and disturbing tale of Ed Gein and his twisted relationship with his mother.
The show pushed the boundaries of what was considered “scary” for a true crime story, with graphic depictions of necrophilia, grave-robbing, and his morbid home decor. The atmosphere of dread was accentuated by Hunnam’s performance and the isolated farm setting where Gein would commit his crimes.