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You've likely seen Psycho, The Silence of the Lambs, and the horror staple. Perhaps you've also explored the books that served as the basis for the first two films. Now it's time to encounter the individual behind Norman Bates, Buffalo Bill, and the chainsaw-wielding villain. The one and only Ed Gein!

The initial installments of the series in question focused on the Milwaukee monster – an individual possessing widespread notoriety. This was followed by the sibling duo – a more niche case for dedicated true crime fans. Now the spotlight turns to the Butcher of Plainfield. Although he doesn't possess the household name status of other notorious killers, and only killed two people, his grave desecrations and gruesome creativity with the deceased have left a lasting mark. To this day, any film or show featuring mutilated bodies, flayed skin, or items crafted from human tissue likely draws inspiration to his actions from over 70 years ago.

A Dismissive Approach

Do I sound flippant? It's clearly the deliberate approach of the production team. It's uncommon to witness a television series that lingers so gleefully on the most heinous acts a person – and mankind – can commit. This extends to a significant plotline devoted to Nazi atrocities, shown with minimal moral context.

Effective Pacing and Narrative

In terms of construction and style, the series excels. The rhythm is well-maintained, and the clever interweaving of past and present is handled masterfully. Viewers witness Charlie Hunnam as Gein committing his crimes – the homicides, tomb violations, and curating his gruesome trophies. Simultaneously, the contemporary storyline follows the creative minds as they develop Psycho from Bloch's Gein-inspired novel. The integration of factual elements – Gein's religious mother and his obsession with women resembling her – and fictionalized scenes – fetishistic depictions of Ilse Koch and Nazi party scenes – is executed proficiently.

The Glaring Omission

What it lacks, in a truly unacceptable way, is ethical commentary or deeper insight to counterbalance the protracted, admiring visuals of Gein's depraved acts. The show presents his vibrant fantasy life and positions him as a man at the mercy of his controlling parent and an accomplice with dark interests. The implied message seems to be: How could a mentally ill man resist? During a key moment, the novelist speculates that without seeing certain images, Gein would have remained a small-town simpleton.

A Departure from Precedent

One might contend that a show from this stable – known for glossy, high-camp style – is an unlikely source for profound human insight. But previous works like The People v OJ Simpson offered brilliant commentary on the press and the legal system. The Assassination of Gianni Versace delved into fame and culture. The Clinton scandal series examined systemic sexism. 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 an underexploited true crime story. It demands sympathy for the man behind the masks without offering genuine insight into how he became a monster. Aside from the reductive "devout parent" explanation, there is little effort to comprehend the origins or avert similar tragedies. It is nothing but gratuitous spectacle to the lowest curiosities of viewers. The wartime sequences do have excellent cinematography, though.