Netflix’s new true crime series, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, which has rapidly gained popularity, faces significant backlash from horror filmmaker Osgood Perkins. Perkins strongly disapproves of the show’s portrayal of his late father, Anthony Perkins, and criticizes the streaming giant for capitalizing on real suffering. His objections highlight concerns about how true crime content is being shaped by modern media culture.
Controversial Portrayal of Anthony Perkins and the Show’s Dual Narrative
The series uses a dual storyline, focusing on notorious serial killer Ed Gein alongside the making of Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic film Psycho. The latter, adapted from Robert Bloch’s novel inspired by Gein, introduces fictionalized elements, including the depiction of Anthony Perkins’ concealed sexuality. The second episode, titled Sick As Your Secrets, features a dramatized Hitchcock expressing pointed remarks about Perkins’ closeted gay identity, equating it with Gein’s depravity. The series further depicts Anthony Perkins vomiting after an intimate encounter, intensifying the show’s implications about his personal life.
Osgood Perkins’ Rejection of the Series and Netflix’s Approach
Osgood Perkins has declared that he
wouldn’t watch it with a 10-foot pole,
expressing deep disapproval of how his father’s story is handled. He condemns the series and Netflix’s strategy of transforming true crime stories into content that appears glamorous or meaningful. According to Perkins, this approach is symptomatic of a culture reshaped by powerful forces he describes as
Overlords,
which produce material increasingly lacking in proper context. He argues the “Netflix-ization” of genuine pain is misguided and harmful.
Defending Anthony Perkins’ Legacy and Calling for Compassionate Storytelling
Since Anthony Perkins passed away in 1992 due to an AIDS-related illness, he cannot respond to these portrayals, but his son speaks out to protect his father’s legacy. Osgood advocates for art that offers deeper understanding, emphasizing empathy over sensationalism. He suggests that creative works should go beyond fascination with violence and instead
peer behind the veil into the unknowable and loving each other through expansive, new art.
This viewpoint is notable coming from someone who directs in the horror genre and underscores the importance of respectful storytelling around complex identities.
The Ongoing Popularity of True Crime and Netflix’s Continued Production
Despite Osgood Perkins’ criticisms, it appears unlikely Netflix and Ryan Murphy will halt or alter their production of the Monster series. True crime remains one of the most lucrative aspects of popular culture, drawing large audiences and offering substantial financial rewards. Perkins’ critique calls for more empathetic and contextually rich content, but the widespread appeal of graphic crime stories ensures they will continue to be a dominant theme in streaming entertainment.
