Netflix's latest true crime series, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, has reignited interest in the notorious serial killer and grave robber whose crimes inspired some of cinema's most iconic horror villains. Set in 1950s rural Wisconsin, the show explores the life of Ed Gein, a seemingly friendly recluse who hid a house of horrors fuelled by isolation, psychosis, and an unhealthy obsession with his mother.
Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 classic Psycho features Norman Bates, a motel proprietor with an unusual relationship with his mother and a fascination with taxidermy. Although author Robert Bloch claimed he was unaware of Gein's crimes during the early stages of writing his novel, he later acknowledged eerie similarities. Bloch lived just 35 miles from where Gein was arrested and reportedly remarked on how closely his fictional character resembled Gein in both overt act and apparent motivation.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre introduces Leatherface, a chainsaw-wielding maniac who wears a mask made from human skin. While Gein never used a chainsaw, the skin mask is directly inspired by items found in his home upon arrest. The original 1974 film is not currently available for streaming, but a 2022 reboot can be watched on Netflix, and the original sequel is on Prime Video.
The Silence of the Lambs, which won the Big Five Academy Awards, features the character Jame Gumb (also known as Buffalo Bill), who draws inspiration from Gein. The film follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling as she seeks help from Hannibal Lecter to catch Gumb, a serial killer who skins his female victims. Gein's influence is evident in Gumb's attempt to create a 'woman suit' from human skin.
As the synopsis for Monster: The Ed Gein Story states, Gein didn't merely influence a genre; he became the blueprint for modern horror. These classic films, perfect for an October watchlist, owe their terrifying villains to the real-life atrocities committed by Ed Gein.
