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You've likely seen Psycho, The Silence of the Lambs, and the horror staple. Perhaps you've also explored the original novels that inspired the first two films. Now it's time to meet the man who inspired Norman Bates, the serial killer, and Leatherface. The infamous Ed Gein!

The initial installments of this anthology series focused on Jeffrey Dahmer – an individual possessing widespread notoriety. This was followed by the Menendez brothers – a more niche case for enthusiasts of the genre. Now the spotlight turns to the Butcher of Plainfield. While he may lack the household name status of other notorious killers, and only killed two people, his postmortem violations and macabre artistry with the deceased have made a profound impact. To this day, any media featuring dismembered remains, flayed skin, or items crafted from human tissue likely draws inspiration to his actions from many decades past.

A Dismissive Approach

Is my tone too casual? This appears to be the intended style of the creators. It's uncommon to witness a drama that lingers so gleefully on the most heinous acts a person – and humanity – can commit. This includes a significant plotline devoted to the horrors of the Third Reich, presented with minimal moral context.

Structural and Stylistic Strengths

Structurally and stylistically, the series excels. The rhythm is well-maintained, and the clever interweaving of different timelines is executed brilliantly. We see Charlie Hunnam as the killer in action – the murders, grave robberies, and assembling his collection. In parallel, the contemporary storyline follows Alfred Hitchcock, Robert Bloch, and Anthony Perkins as they craft the iconic film from the literary source. The integration of the real – Gein's religious mother and his fixation with female doppelgangers – and fictionalized scenes – fetishistic depictions of the Buchenwald criminal and Nazi party scenes – is handled with technical skill.

The Glaring Omission

The missing element, and unforgivably so, is any moral dimension or meaningful analysis to counterbalance the lingering, loving shots of Gein's depraved acts. The series portrays his vibrant fantasy life and positions him as a man at the mercy of his domineering mother and an accomplice with dark interests. The implied message seems to be: What is a poor, schizophrenic guy to do? In one scene, the novelist speculates that without seeing certain images, Gein would have remained a small-town simpleton.

Breaking from Past Success

One might contend that a show from this stable – renowned for sleek, exaggerated aesthetics – is an unlikely source for profound human insight. However, earlier series like The People v OJ Simpson offered brilliant commentary on media and justice. The Assassination of Gianni Versace delved into fame and culture. The Clinton scandal series scrutinized embedded misogyny. Thus, it is possible, and the producer has succeeded before.

The Final Verdict

But not here. The Ed Gein Story feels like an exploitation of a lesser-known criminal case. It demands sympathy for the individual responsible without offering genuine insight into how he became a monster. Beyond the simplistic "devout parent" reasoning, there is little effort to comprehend the origins or avert similar tragedies. This is merely gratuitous spectacle to the lowest curiosities of viewers. The wartime sequences do have lovely lighting, though.