6 fictional characters who were inspired by Ed Gein

The debut of Monster: The Ed Gein Story sheds light on one of the most notorious murderers in history. But, long before the series of Ryan Murphythe real and unimaginably macabre crimes of Gein they already served as inspiration for the creation of some of the most terrifying villains in cinema and TV. His unhealthy obsession with his mother and his habit of desecrating graves to create objects with human remains provided the raw material for monsters that haunt the popular imagination to this day.

Check out the main characters inspired by Ed Gein:

1. Norman Bates (Psycho, 1960)

The most famous and direct example. Shortly after the arrest of Gein, Alfred Hitchcock adapted the novel inspired by the case, exchanging explicit brutality for psychological tension. The main connection is the unhealthy obsession of Norman by his mother, who manifests as a second murderous personality. Hitchcock used the case Gein to popularize the idea of ​​the “human monster”, changing horror cinema forever.

2. Leatherface (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, 1974)

More freely, Gein inspired the iconic villain Leatherface. Although the film’s story is largely fictional, the most striking element — the mask made of human skin worn by the killer — was taken directly from the crimes and the “trophies” found in the house. Geinhelping to redefine the slasher genre.

3. Buffalo Bill (The Silence of the Lambs, 1991)

The antagonist of “The Silence of the Lambs” is actually an amalgamation of three serial killers, but his most infamous trait comes from Gein: the practice of skinning its victims to construct a “woman’s outfit”. The unhealthy motivation to “transform” into another person through the skin is a direct reference to the obsession of Gein by his late mother.

4. Dr. Oliver Thredson (American Horror Story: Asylum, 2012)

Ryan Murphy himself had already been inspired by Gein long before the series. In the second season of American Horror Storythe psychiatrist Oliver Thredsonalso known as “Bloody Face”, has as its trademark the use of a mask made from the skin of its victims, a clear tribute to Gein.

5.Garland Greene (The Escape Route, 1997)

Memorably played by Steve Buscemi in The Escape Route, Garland Greene is inspired by not just one, but a legion of the worst killers in history. Known as “The Marietta Strangler”, the character is a frightening mix of traits from Ed Gein, Ted Bundy, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer and John Wayne Gacy. Although it does not have a specific trait of Gein As obvious as the others on the list, he represents the embodiment of serial evil, becoming an unforgettable figure in the pantheon of movie villains.

6. Ezra Cobb (Deranged, 1973)

Perhaps the most faithful adaptation, although least known. The film Deranged tells the story of Ezra Cobba farmer who, after losing his religious fanatic mother, begins desecrating graves and committing murders. The unhealthy relationship with his mother and the crimes that follow almost perfectly mirror the trajectory of Ed Gein.

What is the story of Monster: The Ed Gein Story?

Known as “The Butcher of Plainfield”, Ed Gein was convicted of murder in the 1950s, but was also suspected of grave robbing and involvement in other brutal crimes. His story shocked the United States and remains one of the most disturbing criminal records of the 20th century.

The new chapter of the anthology series will explore the life and crimes of serial killerwhich ended up inspiring some of pop culture’s greatest villains, like Norman Batesfrom Psychosisand Leatherfacefrom The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Where to watch Monster: The Ed Gein Story?

With eight chapters, Monster: The Ed Gein Story is available in full in the Netflix catalog, at no additional cost to subscribers of the streaming service. Watch the new trailer, which has Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy) in the lead role, below:

SOURCE: SCREENRANT

READ ALSO: Is it true that Ed Gein helped the FBI arrest serial killer Ted Bundy?

• ed gein

• Monster: The Ed Gein Story

• netflix