Ryan Murphy continues his work in the horror genre outside ofAmerican Horror Storywith the TV seriesGrotesquerie, and in its first episodes, it has already set up the killer forMonsterseason 3. WhileAmerican Horror Storyprepares for its 13th season, Ryan Murphy continues bringing horror stories to TV and streaming. Along with the anthology seriesMonster, currently in its second season, Murphy presentsGrotesquerie, which brings together past collaborators from the Murphyverse with new faces and one unexpected talent.
Grotesqueriefollows Detective Lois Tryon (Niecy Nash), who is in charge of investigating a series of horrifying crimes in a small community. Sister Megan (Micaela Diamond), a nun and journalist for the Catholic Guardian, joins the investigation thanks to her expertise in cults and religious themes. However, Tryon and Sister Megan are also dealing with personal issues: Tryon has trouble with her family, and Sister Megan carries a dark past.Grotesquerie’s first two episodes are now available to stream, and they already set up the killer forMonsterseason 3.
Grotesquerie Season 1 References Ed Gein, The Subject Of Ryan Murphy’s Monster Season 3
Monster Season 3 Will Be About One Of The Most Horrifying Serial Killers
In 2022, Ryan Murphy broughtMonster, a biographical crime drama anthology series that will cover the lives and crimes of infamous “monstrous figures”. Season 1,The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, was released on Netflix in 2022 to great success with the audience (but mixed reactions from critics), though it wasn’t safe from controversies due to its topics. Season 2,The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, was released on July 22, 2025, a week beforeGrotesquerie’s premiere.Monsterwill get a third season, and it was revealed this month that it will be focused onEd Gein, played by Charlie Hunnam.
Charlie Hunnam is best known for playing Jax Teller inSons of Anarchyand Raleigh Becket inPacific Rim.
Despite being unrelated,Grotesqueriehas already set upMonsterseason 3 with a reference to Ed Gein. In one scene, Father Charlie (Nicholas Chavez) mentions that Ed Gein is his favorite serial killer, and after what’s now known aboutMonsterseason 3, it’s inevitable to make the connection. What makes this Ed Gein name-drop inGrotesqueriemore notable (and shows that it might have been intentional) is thatit’s said by Chavez’s character – and Chavez played Lyle Menendez inMonsterseason 2.
Ryan Murphy Also Used Ed Gein As A Major Inspiration For American Horror Story Season 2
American Horror Story: Asylum’s Main Villain Was Inspired By Ed Gein
AlthoughMonsterseason 3 will directly cover the life and crimes of Ed Gein, Murphy had already used him as inspiration for anAmerican Horror Storycharacter.American Horror Story: Asylumcentered on the many horrors that took place at the fictional mental institution Briarcliff Manor, but the main villain wasDr. Oliver Thredson (Zachary Quinto), a.k.a. Bloody Face. His crimes are what unfairly sent Kit (Evan Peters) to Briarcliff after he was accused of them, but what Kit and everyone else weren’t expecting was Thredson, who worked at Briarcliff, being the real killer.
Bloody Face did similar things inAmerican Horror Story: Asylumand yet it didn’t come close to the horrors of Ed Gein.
Bloody Face was inspired by the crimes of Ed Gein, who the media named “The Butcher of Plainfield”. Gein admitted to the murders of two women and robbing nine graves, but the real number of victims and more is unknown. Gein’s crimes became notorious for what the police found in his house, as he had an affinity for crafting objects out of human flesh. Bloody Face did similar things inAmerican Horror Story: Asylumand yet it didn’t come close to the horrors of Ed Gein, meaning thatMonsterseason 3 will be quite disturbing.
Grotesquerie
Grotesquerie: In this crime drama, a detective and a nun delve into a series of heinous crimes with personal ties, confronting their own struggles while unraveling a sinister web. Their investigation raises profound questions, revealing unsettling truths that challenge their perceptions and deepen the mystery.
