Following two successful seasons of the true crime-based drama, it seemed Ryan Murphy’s Monster could do no wrong.
After captivating viewers with dramatised portrayals of the Dahmer killings and the Menendez murders, infamous serial killer Ed Gein seemed like a natural fit for the third season. Many were excited to see how Murphy and his team would weave gritty drama against the bleak backdrop of a 1950s murder spree in rural Wisconsin.
However, following its October 3rd premiere, Monster: The Ed Gein Story was panned by critics and audiences alike.
In an unexpected turnaround for the Netflix show, viewers found very little to appreciate this time around.
The chief complaint regarding Season 3 was that it took too many creative liberties with Gein’s story. Of course, critics have noted that Gein never spoke of his crimes, revealed his motivation, or commented on his early life. This stands in stark contrast to the subjects of previous series’, which has led many to comment that Gein was perhaps the wrong choice for Monster.
Aside from the creative liberties, critics agreed that Season 3 felt bloated and unengaging, wasting the talents of actors like Charlie Hunnam and Laurie Metcalf.
The meta elements exploring the cultural impact Gein’s crimes would later have on the horror genre also left fans confused. Many questioned why the series devoted much of its runtime to the production of films like Psycho and The Silence of the Lambs, instead of the titular villain’s crimes.
Most baffling of all, Season 3 has been rightfully panned for its inclusion of a musical number during the unfolding events. The decision has been blasted as “tasteless,” and sadly, acted as another nail in the coffin.
So, a rare misstep for Ryan Murphy and co. this time around. With a fourth season already in production, can this true-crime drama be salvaged after this disastrous third season? Or, will the same mistakes be repeated again, causing a sad end to a once lauded series? After all, we know even less about Lizzie Borden’s life and crimes than those of Ed Gein.
Stay tuned to see how Season 4 lands with audiences.
