Psychologist Reveals Shocking Truth Behind Why Loving the New Ed Gein Netflix Series Could Signal a Dangerous Mindset
So here’s the thing — we’re all guilty of binge-watching a little too much true crime, right? But if you find yourself glued to the new Netflix series about Ed Gein, the infamous Butcher of Plainfield, a psychologist says that might raise a few eyebrows. After all, this third season of Monster, starring Charlie Hunnam, dives into some seriously dark territory — just like the Jeffrey Dahmer and Menendez brothers seasons before it. And while Ryan Murphy’s dramatizations have sparked controversy (not to mention some eyebrow-raising creative liberties), millions can’t seem to look away. It begs the question: why do we find comfort in the unsettling world of serial killers? Could our love for these twisted tales actually be a red flag for deeper things going on inside our heads? Let’s peel back the curtain on why reveling in trauma might mean more than just an appetite for juicy TV… LEARN MORE.
A psychologist has revealed why it’s a red flag if you’re a fan of the new Ed Gein series, which is taking Netflix by storm.
The third season of Monster is based around the infamous Butcher of Plainfield, and much like its predecessors, it has generated a lot of chatter from viewers on social media.
Charlie Hunnam portrays the serial killer in Monster: The Ed Gein Story, after previous seasons of the Netflix show covered the likes of Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez brothers.
Creator Ryan Murphy has come under fire in the past as Dahmer’s victims’ families and the Menendez brothers themselves have criticised his portrayals of them in the series, and the Ed Gein season is no different.
Hunnam himself has responded to comments on his ’empathetic’ portrayal of Gein, while the show itself has been accused of faking or exaggerating some events for dramatic effect.
The latest season of Monster has drawn its fair share of criticism but it’s very popular (Netflix)
At the end of the day, TV adaptations are a dramatisation of real-life events, even if a thing or two is inaccurate. However, despite this, the show remains firmly in the streaming platform’s Top 10 list.
For some reason, people become hooked when a new season of Monster is released, which is odd because why do we enjoy seeing how the mind of a mass murderer works?
It turns out that there may be a reason to worry if you’ve got a particular liking for violent media.
Mental health specialist Dr Thema Bryant spoke about the subject on The Mel Robbins Podcast back in 2023, explaining: “If your idea of relaxing before you go to sleep is to watch three episodes of Law and Order, [then] I would encourage you to think about ‘why is trauma relaxing to me?'”
It’s a good point which may make you reconsider your love for true crime series and dramatised takes on traumatic events.
The expert went on: “Some of us grew up in high stress [situations], so people mistake peace for boring. To come home to yourself you have to lean into the discomfort because it’s gonna feel unfamiliar.”
Viewers seemed to reflect on this, as one commented: “The trauma isn’t relaxing to me – it’s the justice the characters/real people often get that I never did in my own life.”
Another pointed out: “Wow that is exactly what I watch to relax. This was so enlightening,” as a third went on: “And this was the moment I realized… I haven’t watched SVU since I went to therapy and started healing…”
People that enjoy watching traumatic events to relax may have some inner demons (Netflix)
Other professionals have also backed the explanation, as clinical psychologist Dr Elizabeth Jeglic said to Crime Reads that trauma survivors may take a liking to true crime stories.
Dr Jeglic, a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, explained: “Anecdotally, some people are drawn to the study of psychology to understand themselves and heal themselves.”
She added that people in psychology programmes are often found to have a history of mental illness, saying: “Similarly, I think it might be likely that people who have a history of trauma might be drawn to true crime to kind of re-experience those traumatic situations in a safe environment where they have more control.”
Maybe it’s time to turn Monster off and put Friends on.
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