Ever found yourself scratching your head over why a grounded, investigative drama like Mindhunter suddenly crashes into the flashy, tabloid-style chaos of Monster? It's a creative collision that's sparking heated debates among fans and critics alike – and trust me, you won't want to miss the twists that make it all so intriguing!
Let's dive into the buzz surrounding Ryan Murphy's latest anthology series on Netflix. As the mastermind behind hits like American Crime Story and now Monster, Murphy has a knack for shaking up true stories in ways that ramp up the drama and sometimes stir up a storm of controversy. He's no stranger to tweaking facts for that extra entertainment punch or even playing with sensational elements, as seen in debates over his handling of the Menéndez brothers episode. But when it comes to tackling the dark, tangled web of real-life horror in Monster – a show that dissects the lives and crimes of infamous killers – getting the balance right can feel like walking a tightrope.
Take the third installment, Monster: The Ed Gein Story. This chapter zooms in on Ed Gein, the notorious murderer from Plainfield, Wisconsin, whose gruesome acts in the 1950s inspired characters in films like Psycho and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. For beginners wondering who he was, Gein was a reclusive farmer convicted of digging up corpses and crafting items from human remains – a case that chilled the nation. Murphy and his team made some bold alterations and left out key details to fit their narrative vision, which is par for the course in true-crime adaptations. But one decision stands out as particularly odd: a crossover Easter egg that bridges Monster with David Fincher's Mindhunter.
Even though the timelines of these shows don't align perfectly, Murphy brought back actor Happy Anderson in his Mindhunter role as Jerry "Shoe Fetish Slayer" Brudos for the Ed Gein finale. And get this – Brudos actually chats with FBI agents John Douglas and Robert Ressler, portrayed by actors Sean Carrigan and Caleb Ruminer, who are styled just like their Mindhunter equivalents, Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany). To top it off, the episode shifts gears entirely, mimicking Mindhunter's vibe right down to its storytelling approach.
In a chat with the Los Angeles Times, Monster co-creator Ian Brennan spilled the beans on why they went this route. He admitted that wrapping up finales for Monster can be a real challenge, especially needing to outdo the episodes before it. "We knew we needed to top the episodes that had preceded it by shifting the show's look and tone," he said, "and we had in our hands the nugget that John Douglas and Robert Ressler had, indeed, interviewed Ed Gein in person." Brennan added that he and Murphy are huge fans of Fincher's work, so once they imagined an episode paying tribute to his style, it became impossible to ignore.
But here's where it gets controversial... To break this down for newcomers, John Douglas and Robert Ressler are the real-life FBI pioneers who inspired the fictional agents in Mindhunter. These guys were instrumental in founding the FBI's Behavioral Crimes Unit and developing methods to profile and catch serial killers – think of it as the blueprint for modern criminal psychology. For context, Douglas also inspired characters like Will Graham in Red Dragon and the Hannibal series. Fans craving more Mindhunter (after its abrupt cancellation, with whispers of a Season 3 or even movies in the works) might appreciate this nod, but seeing it diluted into Monster's glossy sensationalism feels off. It's like mixing a serious documentary with a soap opera – the result is jarring.
And this is the part most people miss: While it's cool to honor Fincher's genius and the thoughtful depth of Mindhunter, Monster's direct lift just ends up as a weak echo. These shows handle heavy topics – real murders and their victims – in such different ways. Mindhunter, though fictionalized, sticks close to history, carefully avoiding re-traumatizing survivors or reinforcing stereotypes. Monster, on the other hand, bends facts liberally and sadly leans into the harmful "killer crossdresser" trope, portraying transgender women in a damaging light – a callback to issues in classics like The Silence of the Lambs.
Now, here's a thought that might divide opinions: Is Murphy stepping on Fincher's turf by blending these worlds, or is it a clever way to pay respects? Some argue it's innovative fan service, while others see it as disrespectful to the victims' stories. Perhaps Murphy should stick to his style and let Fincher handle the serial killer narratives – after all, who knows, it might lead to better storytelling all around. What do you think? Does this crossover add value, or does it cheapen the seriousness of these real events? Drop your thoughts in the comments – do you agree this blurs lines too much, or is it just harmless fun? Monster and Mindhunter are both streaming now on Netflix, so binge away and decide for yourself!
