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You've likely seen the Hitchcock classic, The Silence of the Lambs, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Maybe you've even read the original novels that inspired the first two films. Now it's time to encounter the individual behind the Bates Motel owner, Buffalo Bill, and Leatherface. The one and only Ed Gein!

The first two seasons of the series in question centered around the Milwaukee monster – a name with strong recognition. This was followed by the Menendez brothers – a more niche case for enthusiasts of the genre. Now the spotlight turns to the Butcher of Plainfield. Although he doesn't possess the brand recognition of Dahmer, Bundy, or Gacy, and only killed two people, his grave desecrations and macabre artistry with the deceased have left a lasting mark. To this day, any film or show featuring dismembered remains, flayed skin, or skin-based artifacts likely draws inspiration to Gein's exploits from over 70 years ago.

A Tone of Flippancy

Is my tone too casual? It's clearly the deliberate approach of the production team. It's uncommon to witness a television series that dwells so eagerly on the worst depredations a person – and humanity – can commit. This extends to a substantial narrative strand devoted to the horrors of the Third Reich, presented with little to no justification.

Effective Pacing and Narrative

In terms of construction and style, the show is impressive. The pacing is flawless, and the clever interweaving of different timelines is handled masterfully. We see the actor as Gein committing his crimes – the murders, tomb violations, and curating his gruesome trophies. In parallel, the present-day narrative follows the creative minds as they develop Psycho from Bloch's Gein-inspired novel. The integration of the real – his devout parent and his fixation with women resembling her – and fictionalized scenes – fetishistic depictions of the Buchenwald criminal and Nazi party scenes – is handled with technical skill.

The Glaring Omission

What it lacks, and unforgivably so, is any moral dimension or deeper insight to counterbalance the lingering, loving shots of Gein's depraved acts. The series portrays his rich inner world and frames him as a man at the mercy of his domineering mother and a morbidly fascinated girlfriend. The underlying suggestion 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 a small-town simpleton.

A Departure from Precedent

You could argue that a show from this stable – renowned for sleek, exaggerated aesthetics – is an unlikely source for deep psychological exploration. However, earlier series like the OJ Simpson trial drama offered brilliant commentary on the press and the legal system. The Versace murder story explored fame and culture. The Clinton scandal series scrutinized systemic sexism. Thus, it is possible, and Murphy has done it.

The Ultimate Assessment

But not here. This installment feels like a commercialization of an underexploited true crime story. It demands sympathy for the individual responsible without offering genuine insight into his transformation. Beyond the simplistic "religious mother" explanation, there is no attempt to comprehend the origins or avert similar tragedies. It is nothing but gratuitous spectacle to the basest instincts of viewers. The wartime sequences do have excellent cinematography, though.