Netflix’s latest true crime series has been the muse for numerous iconic horror films.
Monster: The Ed Gein Story delves into the life of the notorious serial killer and grave robber. Set in the icy expanses of 1950s rural Wisconsin, the anthology series’ new season introduces us to Eddie Gein, a seemingly friendly and unassuming recluse residing on a dilapidated farm.
However, beneath this facade, he was concealing a house of horrors, fuelled by isolation, psychosis, and an unhealthy obsession with his mother. Gein’s twisted crimes gave birth to a new breed of monster that would continue to terrify Hollywood for years to come.
A host of classic films and their infamous villains owe their existence to the real-life atrocities committed by Ed Gein. As per the show’s synopsis, Ed Gein didn’t merely influence a genre; he became the blueprint for modern horror.
Here are some of the most iconic horror films that draw inspiration from the true story of Ed Gein and where you can stream them. They make for perfect additions to your October watchlist.
Psycho
Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 masterpiece features a secretary on the run after embezzling a large sum of money from her employer. She ends up spending the night at Bates Motel.
The proprietor, Norman Bates, appears to have an unusual relationship with his mother and a peculiar fascination with taxidermy.
The film served as an adaptation of Robert Bloch’s novel, reports the Mirror. Bloch might not have drawn direct inspiration from Gein’s heinous acts, yet several parallels exist, particularly the twisted bond between Bates and his mother.
There’s also Bloch’s desire to explore “the notion that the man next door may be a monster unsuspected even in the gossip-ridden microcosm of small-town life.”
Bloch resided just 35 miles from where Gein faced arrest. Whilst the writer allegedly remained unaware of the crimes during the book’s initial stages, he would have discovered them prior to publication.
He’s reported to have acknowledged the eerie similarities that potentially provided direct inspiration.
He’s quoted as remarking he “discovered how closely the imaginary character I’d created resembled the real Ed Gein both in overt act and apparent motivation”.
Psycho is streaming on Sky Cinema and NOW.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Yet another Halloween favourite, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre unveils the legendary horror antagonist Leatherface.
Although marketed as being rooted in actual events, the film doesn’t genuinely depict real occurrences. However, the series does acknowledge Ed Gein as one of its inspirations, something that Netflix appears to have hinted at in its character posters, with Gein seemingly brandishing a chainsaw.
In reality, Gein never used a chainsaw. However, Leatherface’s habit of donning a mask made from skin is thought to be directly inspired by Gein, as this was one of the chilling items discovered in the murderer’s home upon his arrest.
In the film, Sally, Franklin and their three mates find themselves out of petrol while en route to their grandfather’s house. They are tormented and killed one by one by a chainsaw-wielding maniac and his deranged family.
While the original 1974 release is the highest-rated in the franchise on Rotten Tomatoes, it is not currently available for streaming. There are two remakes or reboots that were released in 2003 and 2022, with the latter currently available on Netflix. The original sequel can also be found on Prime Video.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) is available for streaming on Netflix
The Silence of the Lambs
One of only three films to win each of the Big Five Academy Awards, The Silence of the Lambs is often hailed as a ‘cinematic masterpiece’. Based on the novel by Thomas Harris, it is remembered for the character of Hannibal Lector, portrayed by Sir Anthony Hopkins.
The narrative centres on Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee, who enlists the assistance of this infamous psychopathic serial killer and former psychiatrist, in her quest to capture another murderer who has been targeting female victims.
It is this second killer who draws genuine inspiration from Ed Gein – namely Jame Gumb, better recognised by his moniker Buffalo Bill.
Within both the film and novel, he operates as a serial killer who entices, abducts, and flays women with the intention of crafting a “woman suit” to satisfy his longing for female transformation, driven by his loathing of his own identity. This particular practice of fashioning garments from human skin directly mirrors Gein’s horrific methods.
The Silence of the Lambs can be rented on Prime Video.