Is ‘Ed Gein’ on Netflix a True Story? The Real Life Inspiration Behind the Series

If you’re a fan of true crime or horror, you’ve likely heard of Ed Gein. A notorious serial killer from the 1950s, his crimes—murder, grave robbing, and creating items from human remains—have inspired countless works of fiction, including The Silence of the Lambs and Psycho. But when Netflix released its latest entry in the Monster series, titled Monster: The Ed Gein Story, fans were left wondering: is this a true story?

In this article, we’ll explore the real-life events behind Ed Gein’s life, how they compare to the Netflix series, and whether the show is based on fact or fiction.

What is the Netflix Show “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” About?

Netflix’s Monster series has been praised for its dramatization of infamous criminals like Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez brothers. The latest season, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, follows the life of one of the most disturbing figures in American criminal history.

The show is set in the 1950s and portrays Ed Gein as a reclusive man with a deep obsession with his mother, Augusta. He becomes increasingly unhinged, leading to the murders of two women, Mary Hogan and Bernice Worden, and the desecration of graves. The series also introduces Adeline Watkins, a woman who claims to have had a long-term relationship with Gein and even encouraged his crimes.

But was this all based on real events?

Who Was the Real Ed Gein?

Born in 1906 in Wisconsin, Ed Gein was the second child of George and Augusta Gein. His mother, Augusta, was a deeply religious and controlling figure who instilled in him a belief that women were inherently promiscuous. This influence would shape much of his later behavior.

After the death of his brother Henry in a tragic fire in 1944, and then the death of his mother in 1945, Gein spiraled into mental instability. He began robbing graves, taking body parts, and creating macabre items from them. He also killed two women, Mary Hogan and Bernice Worden, before being arrested in 1957.

Gein was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia and spent the rest of his life in a mental institution. He died in 1984 from lung cancer.

Did Ed Gein Really Have a Girlfriend Named Adeline Watkins?

One of the most controversial aspects of the Monster series is its portrayal of Adeline Watkins. In the show, she is depicted as a manipulative and complicit girlfriend who encouraged Gein’s crimes.

However, according to historical records, Adeline Watkins was a real person. She came forward after Gein’s arrest and claimed to have known him for over 20 years. She described their relationship as loving and discussed their shared interest in books and murder stories.

But her statements were contradictory. Weeks after the initial interview, she retracted many of her claims, saying that their relationship was brief and that she never knew about Gein’s crimes.

According to biographer Harold Schechter, there is no evidence that Watkins was involved in Gein’s crimes. In fact, she never visited his home, where he kept mutilated bodies and a shrine to his mother.

Did Ed Gein Inspire Iconic Horror Movies?

Yes, but not in the way the Monster series suggests.

Ed Gein’s life and crimes are widely believed to have inspired the character of Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. Both men had an obsessive relationship with their mothers, were socially isolated, and suffered from mental illness.

However, the Monster series adds fictional elements, such as a scene where Gein is shown in a psychiatric institution helping to track down Ted Bundy. This is entirely made up, as there is no evidence that Gein ever helped catch Bundy.

Similarly, the show suggests that Gein inspired Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but there is no historical evidence that Gein used a chainsaw to kill anyone.

How Accurate is the Netflix Series?

While the Monster series includes some accurate details about Ed Gein’s life, it is largely fictionalized. According to biographer Harold Schechter, the show is “wildly, wildly made up.”

Schechter criticized the series for inventing entire plotlines, such as Gein’s involvement in the disappearance of babysitter Evelyn Hartley and his supposed role in inspiring The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

He also pointed out that the show exaggerates Gein’s personality, portraying him as more sinister than he actually was. For example, the series depicts Gein engaging in necrophilia and cannibalism, which is not supported by historical evidence.

Did Ed Gein Kill Two Hunters with a Chainsaw?

No. The Monster series shows Gein using a chainsaw to kill two hunters, but there is no evidence that he ever did this.

In reality, Gein was arrested after the discovery of Bernice Worden’s body in his home. He was never charged with killing the two hunters featured in the show.

How Many People Did Ed Gein Kill?

Only two people have been officially attributed to Ed Gein: Mary Hogan and Bernice Worden. While he admitted to other killings, including his brother Henry, these were never proven.

Gein was only tried for the murder of Bernice Worden and was found guilty. However, due to his mental state, he was declared “not guilty by reason of insanity” and committed to a mental institution.

Conclusion: Is ‘Ed Gein’ on Netflix a True Story?

While Monster: The Ed Gein Story includes some accurate details about Ed Gein’s life, it is largely a work of fiction. The show takes creative liberties, adding characters and plotlines that do not reflect the real events of Gein’s life.

If you’re interested in learning more about the real Ed Gein, it’s best to consult historical records and biographies such as Harold Schechter’s Deviant: The Shocking True Story of Ed Gein, the Original Psycho.

For those who enjoy true crime, the Monster series may be entertaining, but it should not be taken as a factual account of Gein’s life.

Meta Title: Is ‘Ed Gein’ on Netflix a True Story?

Meta Description: Explore the real-life story behind Netflix’s Monster: The Ed Gein Story and discover what’s fact and what’s fiction.

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Author: [Name]

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Sources

[Harold Schechter – Deviant: The Shocking True Story of Ed Gein, the Original “Psycho”]
[Wisconsin State Journal – Interview with Adeline Watkins]
[TIME Magazine – Ed Gein’s Crimes and Legacy]

[How Ed Gein Inspired ‘Psycho’]
[The Truth About Ed Gein’s Mother]
[Did Ed Gein Really Kill His Brother?]

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Is Ed Gein on Netflix a true story? While the Monster series includes some accurate details, it is largely fictionalized. Ed Gein, a serial killer from the 1950s, inspired films like Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but the show adds many fictional elements.