Netflix series called out for exploiting ‘real pain’ of true crime victims

The third season of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's Monster anthology series was released on Netflix in early October, and people are still talking about it. However, this isn't surprising given that the previous installments were just as widely discussed.

Unlike seasons 1 and 2, which Murphy and Brennan created together, Monster: The Ed Gein Story was developed solely by Brennan. It centers on the life and crimes of Ed Gein (Charlie Hunnam), one of America’s most notorious real-life serial killers. The series explores the twisted mind behind his horrific acts while examining the isolation and trauma that shaped him.

But Monster: The Ed Gein Story isn't only being talked about because of its chilling portrayal of a serial killer. The series has caused quite a stir among viewers for the way in which it mixes fact with fiction, particularly in its depiction of real people connected to the story. It's also under fire for taking creative liberties that some people say sensationalize tragedy. One such critic is Osgood Perkins, director of Longlegs and the son of Anthony Perkins, who has spoken out against the series.

In Monster: The Ed Gein Story, Anthony is depicted as a closeted gay actor experiencing psychological turmoil while shooting Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. The show even draws unsettling parallels between his private struggles and Gein’s sexual violence. TMZ got the chance to speak with Osgood, who admitted he hasn’t watched the series and said he “wouldn’t watch it with a 10-foot pole."

He argued that streaming platforms have built a lucrative business by sensationalizing true crime, often glamorizing horrific events to make them more entertaining and appealing to viewers, even though they’re real-life tragedies. Osgood then went on to express concern about the broader cultural impact of this trend, saying the true crime genre is “increasingly devoid of context” and warning that the “Netflix-ization of real pain” is ultimately harmful.

In other words, Osgood is criticizing streaming services for turning real tragedies into flashy entertainment. He believes this approach not only exploits human suffering for profit but also distorts the truth. This wouldn't be the first time the anthology series has been called out. Previous seasons of Monster have faced similar criticism for dramatizing real-life crimes and the people affected by them.

One example is Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. That season faced widespread backlash for the way it dramatized the experiences of his victims, with many viewers and commentators arguing that it sensationalized real-life horror for the sake of entertainment. Some had even argued that it risked glorifying Dahmer himself, turning a notorious killer into a figure of fascination rather than focusing on the real human suffering he caused.

Unfortunately, we haven't seen a change in the Monster series. With the fourth season currently in production, it’ll likely face similar scrutiny when it comes out. Critics and viewers will likely be watching closely to see whether the series continues to prioritize shocking content over sensitivity to real-life trauma.