Skip ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story’ and Watch This Other Netflix True Horror Series

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If you didn’t like how the movie *Monster: The Ed Gein Story* tried to make you feel sympathy for a notorious killer, Netflix has a better option for Halloween. *True Haunting*, an executive producer James Wan (*Saw*) series, is a five-part show that tells true ghost stories. It combines chilling interviews with people who experienced these events with dramatic recreations.

The series successfully draws viewers into the experiences of those interviewed and creates a chilling atmosphere through its reenactments, effectively placing them in a truly frightening situation. Unlike the problematic focus on the perpetrator in *Monster: The Ed Gein Story*, *True Haunting* focuses on supporting the victims. Though not flawless, horror fans would be better off watching *True Haunting* instead of *Monster*.

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‘True Haunting’ Presents Two Real-Life Paranormal Encounters


Netflix

I’m really excited about *True Haunting*, a new horror series that dropped on Netflix on October 7, 2025! What’s cool about it is how it mixes real interviews with people who’ve experienced things with dramatic reenactments – it feels so much more immersive. James Wan, a director I really admire, is behind it, and it centers around two specific hauntings. One of them takes place at SUNY Geneseo back in the fall of 1984, focusing on a runner named Chris DiCesare who lived in a dorm called Erie Hall – already sounds creepy, right?

Chris starts having disturbing visions and nightmares, but he’s hesitant to share them with anyone except his closest friends. This documentary tells his frightening story through interviews with those friends today. What makes it even more compelling is that one of Chris’s friends, Jeff Ungar, was a dedicated photographer in college and took unsettling photos in the 1980s that seem to confirm their experiences. The series combines these firsthand accounts with dramatic reenactments, bringing the stories to life through visuals.

Although some viewers find the reenactments lengthy, they actually build suspense and feel more realistic as they go on. The recreation of the “Erie Hall” incident spans three episodes, and the final episode received an impressive 7.8 rating on IMDb, largely due to its surprising and convincing link to Chris’s family history.

The second story arc, “This House Murdered Me,” follows a young, expecting couple, April and Matt, as they settle into a beautiful old Victorian home. Their child begins interacting with an imaginary friend, which soon reveals itself to be a disturbing ghost. Without giving away any key plot points, *True Haunting* is a far more captivating and genuinely frightening series to watch for Halloween than *Monster: The Ed Gein Story*.

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‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story’ Continues Netflix’s Disturbing Trend


Netflix

Following the success of David Fincher’s *Mindhunter* on Netflix, there’s been a growing fascination with exploring the psychology of infamous serial killers. While the first season claimed to depict the early days of FBI criminal profiling in the 1970s, it unfortunately focused too much attention on deeply unpleasant figures like Ed Kemper – a murderer who deserves no empathy. The show also highlighted other monstrous individuals – including Dennis Rader (the BTK Killer), Richard Speck, Jerry Brudos, and Montie Rissell – whose stories don’t need to be revisited in modern times.

The increasing number of shows focusing on criminals often tries to excuse their actions, explain the inexplicable, and strangely makes audiences sympathize with them more than the victims. These programs sensationalize and sometimes even celebrate the deeds of real killers, attempting to help viewers understand their motives. But the truth is, no one can truly comprehend the mind of a killer, and shouldn’t try. It’s time for television to stop pretending to be experts on the criminal psyche.

David Fincher’s *Zodiac* skillfully avoided glorifying the killer, instead highlighting the determined investigation. Similarly, Spike Lee’s *Summer of Sam* didn’t try to explain the killer’s motives, but captured the fear and unease of the time. However, recent shows like *Mindhunter* and now *Monster: The Ed Gein Story* are increasingly pushing viewers to empathize with, or even root for, the perpetrators, and it’s become problematic.

It’s not surprising that reviews for *The Ed Gein Story* were overwhelmingly negative. After receiving lukewarm responses to seasons focusing on Jeffrey Dahmer (57% on Rotten Tomatoes) and the Menendez brothers (45%), this third season hit a low of just 20% on Rotten Tomatoes – even though it was the most-watched show on TV. Despite the poor reviews, the show’s popularity suggests this trend will continue, with Season 4 reportedly focusing on the case of Lizzie Borden.

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Why You Should Skip ‘Monster’ and Watch ‘True Haunting’ Instead


Netfllix

If you’re a serious horror enthusiast searching for a genuinely frightening experience this Halloween, skip *Monster: The Ed Gein Story* and check out *True Haunting* instead. It’s particularly effective because it blends real stories from people who experienced these events in 2025 with dramatic reenactments of their terrifying encounters. While James Wan is involved, director Neil Rawles (known for *Erie Hall* and his work on shows like *American Monster* and *Paranormal Witness*) deserves credit for his skill in creating compelling docudramas.

Director Luke Watson, who previously worked on shows like *The Swarm*, *Midsomer Murders*, and *Ripper Street*, skillfully brings the frightening story of April and Matt to life in “This House Murdered Me.” The horror segments are genuinely scarier than those in *The Ed Gein Story*, thanks to the film’s high production quality and strong performances from the largely unknown young cast. The realistic details provided by the actual witnesses only add to the chilling effect of their accounts.

Documentaries like “Erie Hall” and “This House Murdered Me” successfully focus on the victims, helping viewers connect with and feel empathy for Chris, April, and Matt. Instead of trying to understand why the crimes happened, these films create fear by realistically portraying the terrifying experiences of those who survived, allowing audiences to truly appreciate the ordeal they endured.

Be patient with *True Haunting*. Some negative reviews come from people who stopped watching the first episode, “Erie Hall,” before it could build momentum. But the story really comes together in the third episode, revealing strange connections to Chris’s family history that are genuinely creepy. You can stream *True Haunting* on Netflix.

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2025-10-12 17:04