Homage or hijack? A finale flourish in Monster has Mindhunter die-hards seeing red and asking who really gets to own the look and language of true crime.
Episode 8 of Monster: The Story of Ed Gein has kicked a hornet’s nest among Mindhunter loyalists, who argue the finale mirrors that show’s imagery and motifs to a contentious degree. Ian Brennan leans into a meta thread that links Gein’s legacy to Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Silence of the Lambs and, pointedly, to Mindhunter itself. The echo is heightened by Happy Anderson returning as Jerry Brudos, as Charlie Hunnam’s Gein crosses paths with FBI interview scenes and even a Ted Bundy appearance. The backlash has also rekindled debate over Mindhunter’s future, with fans eyeing talk of a possible David Fincher revival as films.
The finale that upset fans
Episode 8 of Netflix’s “Monster: The Story of Ed Gein” has sparked intense debate, and not all of it is flattering. Fans of “Mindhunter,” another series from the platform, expressed disappointment after spotting striking similarities. The episode echoes not only imagery but also entire motifs from “Mindhunter,” leaving long-time devotees feeling slighted.
A striking resemblance
The flashpoint is a key interrogation where FBI agents, played by Sean Carrigan and Caleb Ruminer, question Ed Gein, portrayed by Charlie Hunnam. Many describe the cadence and staging as an homage, while others see a direct lift from “Mindhunter” style profiling interviews. The presence of Happy Anderson as Jerry Brudos raises fresh questions about continuity versus creative recycling.
Fan frustrations boil over
Social media amplified the backlash. Critics argue the new show falls short of its predecessor’s polish. One commenter labeled the reference a “lazy imitation”, while others lamented a missed chance for originality. For a series anchored to Ed Gein’s infamous legacy, the perceived duplication feels like an avoidable distraction.
Ed Gein in pop culture
Ed Gein’s crimes have long reverberated through pop culture, shaping films like Psycho and “The Silence of the Lambs.” “Monster: The Story of Ed Gein” probes this legacy, threading his psychology into a broader reflection on America’s fascination with true crime. Yet the overt nods to “Mindhunter” have prompted debate about whether the tribute advances the genre or oversteps.
A lingering hope for “Mindhunter”
Hints from Holt McCallany about potential “Mindhunter” movies directed by David Fincher have rekindled hope among fans. Whether that prospect eases disappointment with Episode 8 is unclear, but the overlap between the shows has divided audiences and reignited arguments over homage versus imitation.