The series dramatizes Gein's relationship with a woman named Adeline Watkins, claiming a two-decade romance, but Watkins clarified they only knew each other briefly, and this was a fictional addition.

Netflix's 'Monster: The Ed Gein Story' is an anthology series that explores the life and crimes of Ed Gein, a Wisconsin murderer whose disturbing acts inspired horror classics like Psycho and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

The series depicts Gein as a reclusive, abused, and undiagnosed schizophrenic who lived in secrecy, portraying him as a kind old man despite his gruesome crimes.

While the show attempts to balance accuracy with a humanized portrayal, it fabricates or dramatizes several elements, such as Gein's involvement in the disappearance of Evelyn Hartley and his interactions with Holocaust criminal Ilse Koch, which are not supported by evidence.

It also depicts Gein's bond with his mother, Augusta, and his troubled upbringing, including the murder of his brother Henry and the death of Augusta, which contributed to his psychological decline.

Critics argue that the series offers a simplistic resolution to Gein’s psychological issues, ultimately succumbing to sensationalism and lurid tactics that undermine its critique of American desensitization.

Despite impressive visuals, production design, and a compelling score, the show is criticized for fetishizing serial killers and perpetuating true crime obsession without sufficient empathy for victims.

The finale presents Gein as a reformed figure in an almost idyllic setting, which many critics see as trivializing his depravity and the horror of his crimes.

The series features dramatized scenes of Gein killing his brother and exhuming bodies, which are not supported by evidence, and it exaggerates his interactions with victims and the community.

While the show explores Gein’s mental health, including his schizophrenia and his time in a mental hospital, it simplifies his psychological issues and the legal proceedings, which culminated in his conviction of murder in 1968.

Charlie Hunnam delivers a strong performance as Gein, capturing his haunted persona, with some influence from a rare audio clip of Gein’s voice, but the series overall emphasizes sensationalism over historical accuracy.

The series ends with Gein reflecting on his life and the cyclical nature of violence, concluding on a note of chaos and misanthropy, which critics argue diminishes the real horror of his crimes.