Netflix is at it again, casting Charlie Hunnam forMonsterseason 3, which leads me to beg the question: why do movies and TV shows keep casting extremely good-looking actors to play serial killers? From the minds of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, Netflix’sMonstershow debuted in September 2022 by releasing a season that chronicled Jeffrey Dahmer. The show was led by Evan Peters in the role of Dahmer, reuniting him with Murphy after appearing in nine seasons ofAmerican Horror Storyand the FX dramaPose. Despite a so-so reception,Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Storywas a mega-hit for Netflix.
We will get to the issues surroundingMonsterseason 1 soon, but before the dust even settled on the Dahmer story,Netflix renewedMonsterfor season 2, which is set to follow thetrue story of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who murdered their parents in 1989.Monsterseason 2 features another notable cast, but the story takes a different approach by following a deadly family case rather than a serial killer. That said,Monsterseason 3 is returning to the original approach by following one of the most notable killers in history, and the show cast Charlie Hunnam to play the “monster.”
Charlie Hunnam Is Playing Ed Gein In Monster Season 3 For Netflix
Charlie Hunnam has been cast as Ed Gein forMonsterseason 3, with the announcement coming just a few days beforeMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Storyeven premieres. Hunnam, of course, is no stranger to TV shows, having notably played the ruggedly handsome Jax Teller in Sons of Anarchy and the proudly promiscuous college student Lloyd in Undeclared. His movie roles are equally diverse, butI can’t be the only one shocked to learn that Hunnam is set to play Ed Gein, the sadistic figure who inspired fictional killers like Norman Bates, Leatherface, and Buffalo Bill. But here we are.
The True Story That Inspired The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Was 1974’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre based on a true story? Here’s the history that Tobe Hooper researched which led to the creation of Leatherface.
I certainly wouldn’t call myself a serial killer expert, but as a horror enthusiast, I’m aware of the most notable serial killers in history. This is especially true if they have impacted the entertainment industry, whether it’s retellings or the inspirations behind fictional characters. Ed Gein, aka the Butcher of Plainfield, was confirmed to have killed two women and suspected of having killed at least seven others. To make the case more disturbing, Gein was a known body-snatcher, digging up buried bodies in graveyards to mutilate the corpses and obtain grotesque keepsakes.
Charlie Hunnam’s Serial Killer Casting Continues An Odd Trend
Fan Favorite Actors Keep Being Cast As Dangerous Real-Life Figures
Depicting serial killers, real and fictional, isn’t new for the entertainment industry. Still,Charlie Hunnam’s Ed Gein casting is another weird example of a trend I can’t ignore. Once again, the horrific true story retelling is using an attractive (and, at times, beloved) actor to portray a serial killer. I’m not saying viewers will instantly fall in love with Ed Gein and other killers in general just because of Hunnam. Let’s not go that far. But Hunnam has a loyal following, and I can’t deny crushing on him in any role I see him play. Will that happen again inMonsterseason 3?
Let’s take a look at Zac Efron, an actor that captured the hearts of young people in the mid-’00s from his role in theHigh School Musicalmovies, who then went on to star in theTed Bundy movietitledExtremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. Bundy may have been known for his charm in real life, butusing a massively popular actor and grown-up Disney superstar like Efron was certainly achoice.The portrayal even caused fans to become fascinated with Bundy, as if he were a wrongly accused celebrity, just like how women bizarrely treated him during his real murder trial.
Zac Efron’s New Movie Co-Star Casting Is Great After 85% Thriller On Rotten Tomatoes
Zac Efron will take the lead role alongside Bridgerton & Fair Play star Phoebe Dynevor in the upcoming thriller film Famous directed by Jody Hill.
Even Evan Peters' Dahmer casting forMonsterstirred controversy, repeating a character issue fromAmerican Horror Storyseason 1 when he played Tate Langdon. Tate was a protective love interest in season 1, but that protective nature didn’t work for me after it was revealed that Tate carried out a school shooting. However,Tate’s continued portrayal as an antagonist who deserved sympathy was unsettling, something that seems to continue happening with modern serial killer depictions inMonsterand beyond.
The Depiction Of Well-Known Serial Killers In Movies & Shows Will Always Be Divisive
Romanticizing & Glorifying Serial Killers Has Been A Problem
While it’s necessary to dive into the complexities of serial killers and their motives, shows and movies often lean into storytelling that justifies their actions or somehow puts the blame on victims.Monsterseason 1 stirred more controversyby prioritizing Dahmer’s characterization over the stories of those killed, causing some of the victims' families to speak out against the show. Putting the lead character in the front and center makes sense, but doing so in the wrong light could risk romanticizing serial killers, clouding them with instant appeal.
In a perfect world, the appearance of an actor shouldn’t be that much of a deciding factor for casting, but this is not a perfect world.
I totally get wanting to hire a notable name for a project likeMonster. In fact, seeing Hunnam’s name attached instantly piqued my interest. In a perfect world, the appearance of an actor shouldn’t be that much of a deciding factor for casting, but this is not a perfect world. No matter who is cast to play known killers,adaptations are responsible for not glorifying these figures by presenting them as forgivable.Interest in true crime won’t slow down, and as long as they continue, the portrayal of serial killers will continue to be divisive, especially if they are played by actors who many of us grew up supporting or, in some cases, loving.
26 Best Netflix Movies Based On True Stories
There are thousands of movies to choose from on Netflix, but if you are in the mood for a true story, these are the best of them all.
Serial killer depictions in movies and shows always come with inherent risks. There should be intrigue for viewers to want to watch, but there also needs to be a balance in how the events and characters are presented. MaybeMonsterseason 3 will alter Hunnam’s appearance to avoid exacerbating the romanticization of someone like Gein, taking a similar approach to 2003’sMonsterwith Charlize Theron’s depiction of serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Or maybe I will fall into the trap and crush on Hunnam’s serial killer character. Only time will tell.
