Ed Gein was a monster.
But you might take his side after being given a psychological masterclass in horror.
(Or so I’ve been told by a friend who has just binged the whole series in one day…)
Granted I’m only 1 episode in, and there was a lot to unpack in the first episode.
All I can say is it was a wild start and as a writer I’m always looking to understand how truly disturbing characters work.
Forget the Hollywood serial killer bullshit with the dramatic music and over the top theatrics.
From what I know from previous documentaries and articles I’ve read on Gein, was that he was so terrifying because he seemed so fucking ordinary.
Kept to himself. The kind of guy neighbours barely noticed until they found human skin lampshades in his house.
And I mean a lot of writers miss the mark.
They go straight for the obvious crazy, the maniacal laughter, the grandiose speeches, the bloody gory theatrical violence and what not. From what I know. Actual monsters just blend in with day to day life. They’re not twirling their moustaches and lurking around all sneaky like.
You might read about how they just made small talk at counter while buying break and milk, but when they get home. They plot something so twisted even our boy Stephen King would lose sleep.
Now I’m invested in seeing how this show builds Gein’s character. I want to see if they’re going to add the mundane details. The way his twisted logic feels almost reasonable when viewed through his damaged perspective. (The barn scene towards them middle of the first episode just sets the tone) The slow reveal that this unassuming man harbours thoughts that would send most people into therapy for decades.
Now I’m thinking to myself how can I write a villain that haunts people? Don’t make them a cartoon. Make them someone readers might sit next to on public transport. Someone who could be their co-worker, their neighbour, the person ahead of them in line at Starbucks.
The one thing I’ve also noticed in general is that monsters won’t just announce they’re monsters. They just exist, quietly, in spaces we thought were safe.
I’m looking forward to studying how Gein’s ordinariness becomes the most terrifying thing about him. The most compelling dark characters are the ones who feel like they could step off the page and order coffee next to you.
That’s when readers start double checking their door locks and wondering about the person who lives upstairs.
And if you have no clue what I’m talking about, just watch the trailer here.
Stephen Walker.