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You've likely seen Psycho, the iconic thriller, and the horror staple. Maybe you've even read the books that inspired the first two films. Now it's time to encounter the individual who inspired Norman Bates, the serial killer, and Leatherface. The one and only Ed Gein!

The initial installments of this anthology series centered around the Milwaukee monster – a name with strong recognition. Then came the sibling duo – a more niche case for enthusiasts of the genre. Attention now shifts to the Butcher of Plainfield. While he may lack the brand recognition of other notorious killers, and only killed two people, his grave desecrations and gruesome creativity with the deceased have left a lasting mark. Even now, any media featuring dismembered remains, flayed skin, or items crafted from human tissue likely draws inspiration to Gein's exploits from many decades past.

A Dismissive Approach

Do I sound flippant? This appears to be the intended style of the creators. Rarely have I seen a television series that lingers so gleefully on the worst depredations a person – and mankind – can commit. This extends to a substantial narrative strand devoted to Nazi atrocities, presented with little to no justification.

Effective Pacing and Narrative

In terms of construction and style, the series excels. The rhythm is well-maintained, and the clever interweaving of different timelines is executed brilliantly. Viewers witness the actor as the killer in action – the murders, grave robberies, and curating his gruesome trophies. Simultaneously, the contemporary storyline follows Alfred Hitchcock, Robert Bloch, and Anthony Perkins as they craft the iconic film from Bloch's Gein-inspired novel. The integration of factual elements – his devout parent and his fixation with female doppelgangers – and the unreal – lurid portrayals of the Buchenwald criminal and Nazi party scenes – is executed proficiently.

The Glaring Omission

What it lacks, and unforgivably so, is ethical commentary or meaningful analysis to counterbalance the lingering, loving shots of his immoral deeds. The show presents his rich inner world and frames him as a helpless individual of his domineering mother 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 theorizes that without seeing certain images, Gein would have remained an unremarkable local.

A Departure from Precedent

You could argue that a Ryan Murphy production – known for sleek, exaggerated aesthetics – is the wrong place for profound human insight. But previous works like The People v OJ Simpson offered brilliant commentary on media and justice. The Versace murder story delved into fame and culture. The Clinton scandal series scrutinized systemic sexism. So it can be done, and Murphy has done it.

The Ultimate Assessment

Yet not in this case. The Ed Gein Story feels like a commercialization of an underexploited true crime story. It asks for empathy for the man behind the masks without offering genuine insight into how he became a monster. Beyond the simplistic "devout parent" explanation, there is no attempt to understand the creation or avert similar tragedies. It is nothing but voyeuristic pandering to the lowest curiosities of the audience. The Nazi scenes do have excellent cinematography, though.