Ed Gein Expert Harold Schechter on Netflix's 'Monster' Series

Netflix's 'Monster' Series and Ed Gein

• 💡 The latest season of Netflix's "Monster" series, created by Ryan Murphy, focuses on the story of Ed Gein.
• 🎯 Past seasons of the series have covered figures like the Menendez brothers and Jeffrey Dahmer.
• ⚠️ Both Ryan Murphy and the "Monster" series have previously faced criticism for potentially retraumatizing victims' families, not consulting them, and sensationalizing or glamorizing killers.

Expert Expectations and Criticisms

• 🔍 Harold Schechter, author of “Deviant: The Shocking True Story of the Original ‘Psycho,’” discusses his expectations for the Gein portrayal.
• ⏳ Schechter believes the Gein story is less likely to face criticism regarding upsetting families because the events occurred over 75 years ago.
• 💬 He notes that while the older generation in Plainfield was sensitive to exploitation, subsequent generations have more embraced the notoriety.

Creator Liberties and Personal Interest

• 📺 Schechter expresses personal interest in watching the series, noting that he was not contacted by the production team.
• 🎬 Based on trailers, he perceives the series as leaning towards an "over-the-top horror movie" and taking liberties with the story.
• 🎭 He acknowledges that Gein has achieved a mythic status, allowing creators artistic freedom to interpret his story as they see fit, but remains curious about the treatment.