Some stories about notorious criminals are seared into public consciousness, yet the interconnections between these dark figures often surprise even the most devoted true crime fans. But here's where it gets controversial: the new Netflix series Monster: The Ed Gein Story doesn’t just explore the chilling crimes of one infamous killer—it unexpectedly weaves in the narratives of other notorious murderers, sparking intriguing questions about influence, legacy, and the psychology of evil.
Thanks to Monster: The Ed Gein Story, audiences worldwide have been introduced more deeply to the chilling saga of Ed Gein, whose gruesome actions became the blueprint for legendary horror films like Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs. Yet, most viewers probably didn’t anticipate that alongside Gein's story, the series would feature brief but significant appearances by other infamous killers who shaped American criminal history.
Spoiler alert for viewers of Monster: The Ed Gein Story
In the show's final episode, titled "The Godfather," actors portraying Ted Bundy and Richard "Birdman" Speck make cameo appearances alongside Charlie Hunnam’s compelling portrayal of Ed Gein. The episode creatively imagines Gein assisting FBI agents from his mental institution as they hunt down Bundy, setting the stage with Bundy’s own heinous crimes in the episode’s opening scene. But what exactly ties Bundy and Speck to Gein, and why does the show highlight their connections?
Who Was the Birdman, AKA Richard Speck?
The series delves into the spine-chilling influence Gein had on other notorious murderers. Among them is Richard Speck, nicknamed “Birdman,” who was convicted of murdering eight nursing students in a Chicago suburb in 1966. The episode opens with a dramatization of Bundy asking a young girl for assistance before he tragically rapes and murders her and another woman trapped in his car. Meanwhile, Speck, imprisoned in Illinois for his brutal crimes, receives a letter from Bundy claiming that he drew inspiration from Speck’s killings.
In a twist of dark correspondence, Speck then writes to his own infamous role model—Ed Gein—bragging that he has inspired yet another murderer. Speck even includes Bundy’s threatening letter, in which Bundy details his string of murders in the Pacific Northwest and hints at plans to continue killing in a manner reminiscent of Speck. Speck’s horrific acts involved systematically stabbing, strangling, and slashing the throats of his victims, leaving a lasting scar on the public conscience.
Following these chilling exchanges, Gein contacts the FBI with key information about Bundy, providing details like the type of car Bundy drives, hoping to aid the investigation. Earlier in the episode, audiences see a tense meeting between Gein and three FBI agents from the newly established Behavioral Science Unit, where Gein is questioned about potential insights into the case against Bundy.
This scene also cleverly nods to Netflix’s acclaimed series Mindhunter. In Mindhunter, FBI profiler John E. Douglas interacts with numerous serial killers, including Jerry Brudos, who is portrayed by the same actor featured in Monster. This connection highlights the evolution of criminal profiling and the FBI’s efforts to understand the minds of killers, a real historical development that profoundly changed law enforcement practices.
Separating Fact from Fiction
Here’s the part most people miss: while the show brilliantly intertwines these characters for dramatic effect, there is no real historical evidence that Ed Gein played any role in capturing Ted Bundy or had direct communication with Richard Speck during his years confined in a mental hospital. These creative liberties serve the story but may blur the lines between reality and fiction for some viewers.
Why Was Richard Speck Called "Birdman"?
The origin of Speck’s eerie nickname "Birdman" comes from a disturbing prison anecdote documented by John E. Douglas, the legendary FBI profiler and author of Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit. According to Douglas, Speck once nursed a sparrow that had flown into his cell through a broken window. However, when a guard told him pets weren’t allowed, Speck took the bird and threw it into a fan, declaring, “If I can’t have it, no one can.” This chilling act of cruelty provides a glimpse into Speck’s brutal nature and explains how he earned the foreboding nickname.
Monster: The Ed Gein Story is currently streaming on Netflix, offering not just a glimpse into a singular dark mind but also raising broader questions about influence, the psychology of killers, and how society remembers these tragic histories. What do you think — do fictional portrayals like this help us understand true crime better, or do they risk misleading audiences? Share your thoughts and start the conversation below.
