A new trailer has dropped for Monster: The Ed Gein Story, the third season of Netflix’s true-crime anthology Monster, and if you thought you knew how gruesome true crime could be, prepare to be unsettled all over again. Charlie Hunnam takes on the role of the infamous Ed Gein, and from what the preview reveals, this is going to be one of the darkest, most provocative entries yet.
What the Trailer Reveals: Haunting Atmosphere & Psychological Decay
Set in the frozen landscapes of 1950s rural Wisconsin, the trailer shows a mild-mannered, reclusive Ed Gein living quietly on a decaying farm. But beneath that calm facade lies a house of horrors. Through chilling imagery, the show hints at the isolation, psychosis, and obsession with his mother that apparently drove Gein to unspeakable acts.
Moments in the trailer are especially striking: Ed dancing in eerie settings, hiding or crafting something macabre, and even scenes showing him in gruesome contact with corpses. One standout line cuts deep: “You’re the one who can’t look away.” It’s a reminder—not just that this story is disturbing, but that we as viewers are being asked to witness.
Cast & Characters: A Heavyweight Line-Up
Charlie Hunnam leads as Ed Gein, and he fully transformed himself for the role. To get into character, he lost nearly 30 pounds to evoke Gein’s frail, withdrawn physical presence. He also crafted Gein’s mannerisms and voice to mirror the way he interacted with his overbearing mother.
Laurie Metcalf plays Augusta Gein, Ed’s domineering mother, in what’s expected to be a chilling portrayal. Suzanna Son, Vicky Krieps, Olivia Williams, Lesley Manville, and Tom Hollander (as Alfred Hitchcock) round out the ensemble. There’s also a surprising addition: Addison Rae as Evelyn, a character allegedly caught up in Gein’s twisted world. The casting alone suggests a season full of powerhouse performances and unexpected turns.
Why Ed Gein? The Roots of Horror
Ed Gein’s story has long lurked at the edges of horror mythology. Though he was convicted of only a few murders, his grave-robbing, use of human remains, and his eerie, isolated life sparked the imaginations of filmmakers for decades. Norman Bates in Psycho, Buffalo Bill in Silence of the Lambs, and Leatherface in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre all trace some of their DNA back to Gein’s real-life crimes.
The new season doesn’t shy away from the grotesque. But beyond the horror, it seems intent on digging into the human side—the brokenness, the psychology, and the way isolation and obsession can warp someone’s reality. It’s not just about what Gein did, but who he was and why. That psychological deep dive may be what sets this season apart from the many other retellings of his crimes.
What to Expect & Release Date
All eight episodes of Monster: The Ed Gein Story arrive on Netflix October 3, 2025. Based on the trailer alone, this season promises to be the most unsettling Monster installment yet—a raw, unflinching dive into what happens when horror is more than fiction.
For viewers who enjoy true crime with psychological heft (and can stomach disturbing visuals), this looks like must-see TV. But fair warning: if extreme content makes you queasy, you might want to watch this one with the lights on—and maybe a comforting comedy queued up for afterward.
Final Thoughts
What’s most striking about this trailer is how it balances the grotesque with the human. Ed Gein is often treated as a one-dimensional monster in pop culture, but this season seems determined to show the person behind the infamy: the trauma, the loneliness, and the warped desire for connection.
At its best, horror is uncomfortable because it forces us to see reflections of ourselves—and Monster: The Ed Gein Story looks like it’s aiming straight for that discomfort. If the show pulls it off, it won’t just shock audiences, it will haunt them.
More On:TV