On this account, we love true crime, and we were thrilled about the return of Monsters on Netflix — this time focusing on the real story of Ed Gein, one of the most disturbing killers in U.S. history, whose crimes inspired classics like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
But there’s a psychological effect that happens when we watch the series — one most viewers don’t even notice.
The new installment, Monster: The Story of Ed Gein, revisits the crimes of the so-called “Butcher of Plainfield,” a man who, in the 1950s, was arrested after it was discovered he had been stealing corpses from cemeteries and making household items out of human remains. His case horrified the entire country and became a sort of cultural myth — the man who brought everyday horror into American homes.
Netflix tells that story with its signature style: flawless visuals, immersive storytelling, and scenes so raw they’re almost impossible to forget. But while the show is based on real events, it also exaggerates, dramatizes, and fictionalizes many details to amplify the emotional impact on the viewer — and that’s where the problem begins.
The Psychological Effects of Ed Gein and True Crime Stories
Watching series like Ed Gein can directly affect your perception of reality and safety — even if you don’t realize it. Our brain doesn’t completely distinguish between what’s real and what’s on screen, so the more realistic and violent the imagery, the stronger the sense of danger becomes.
Some of the most common effects include:
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Feeling unsafe: Watching such brutal crimes can make you feel like the world is more dangerous than it really is.
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Distorted perception of reality: Consuming stories based on true events can lead you to believe that killers like these are more common or closer than they actually are.
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Anxiety and paranoia: Without noticing, you might start fearing sleeping alone, walking at night, or trusting strangers.
True crime doesn’t just entertain — it shapes how we perceive the world around us, especially when it’s presented with such realism and emotion.
What happens with Ed Gein isn’t unique to this series. In recent years, true crime has become a collective obsession because we all want to understand the killer’s mind, decode their motives, or imagine that we could have solved the case. But in doing so, we normalize violence and turn real tragedies into entertainment.
That mix of morbid curiosity, fear, and empathy triggers an intense emotional reaction — as if our brain were feeling pleasure and terror at once — and that’s why we keep watching one story after another.
So What Can We Do?
It’s not about avoiding Ed Gein, but about watching consciously.
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Remember that behind every story, there are real victims.
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Avoid watching true crime right before bed or when you’re feeling anxious.
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Balance your media intake with lighter or uplifting content.
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And above all, don’t feel guilty for your fascination — that mix of curiosity and fear is part of being human.
Watching true crime can help us understand evil — but the real challenge is making sure it doesn’t start living inside our minds.
