Sons of Anarchy Heartthrob Takes Dark Turn as Netflix's Newest Monster

Olivia Bennett, 8/28/2025Charlie Hunnam's transformation into Ed Gein in Netflix's "Monster: The Ed Gein Story" promises to chill viewers. Set in 1950s Wisconsin, this dark tale explores the grotesque legacy of Gein, with Hunnam in a haunting role, alongside Laurie Metcalf and Tom Hollander.

The first glimpses of Hunnam in Netflix's "Monster: The Ed Gein Story" hit the internet yesterday, and honey, let's just say Jax Teller's perfectly coiffed blonde locks are the least of what's been sacrificed. The promotional images — particularly that haunting shot of him peeling off a face mask (and not the kind you get at Sephora) — sent shivers through social media faster than a Taylor Swift breakup announcement.

Set against the bleak landscape of 1950s Wisconsin, this latest chapter in Ryan Murphy's increasingly addictive "Monster" anthology series promises to be the grisliest yet. Murphy, who's never met a dark story he couldn't make darker, appears to have outdone himself. The series drops October 3rd, just in time for spooky season — though you might want to skip the Halloween masks this year.

The casting is nothing short of brilliant madness. Hunnam, who's spent years making us swoon as various iterations of the charming rogue, now faces his most transformative role yet. But the real coup? Laurie Metcalf as Gein's mother Augusta. Anyone who caught Metcalf's turn in last year's "Doppelganger" knows she can do creepy with the best of them, and this role seems tailor-made for her particular brand of unsettling intensity.

Tom Hollander and Olivia Williams round out the cast as Alfred Hitchcock and Alma Reville — because darling, you can't tell the story of modern horror without nodding to its greatest architect. The connection? Gein's grotesque activities served as inspiration for "Psycho," proving that sometimes truth is more terrifying than fiction.

Speaking of truth — Gein's legacy runs deeper than most casual horror fans realize. Before Leatherface revved up his chainsaw or Buffalo Bill demanded lotion application, there was Ed Gein, the unassuming Wisconsin farmer whose real-life atrocities spawned an entire genre. Two confirmed murders might seem almost quaint by today's true-crime standards, but trust me, sweeties — it's what he did after that'll turn your stomach.

Max Winkler's directing the lion's share of episodes, with Ian Brennan stepping behind the camera for two. The result, based on early whispers from usually-reliable sources, is a psychological descent that makes "Black Swan" look like a ballet recital. Hunnam, who's also executive producing (because apparently nightmare fuel wasn't enough of a contribution), seems determined to shed his heartthrob status faster than a Hollywood marriage.

But here's the real tea: This isn't just another true crime story being served up for our binge-watching pleasure. It's a meditation on how one man's unfathomable acts permanently warped our cultural consciousness. The series asks not just "what happened," but "what does it say about us that we're still fascinated?"

Will audiences embrace their beloved Charlie in this drastically different role? That remains to be seen. But one thing's certain — this promises to be the kind of transformation that makes Daniel Day-Lewis's method acting look like amateur hour. Just maybe don't watch it alone... or before dinner... or ever, if you're faint of heart.

Remember when the scariest thing about Charlie Hunnam was his dad bod in "The Lost City of Z"? Those were simpler times, darlings. Simpler times indeed.

Well, darlings, Hollywood's latest transformation tale isn't about another celebrity juice cleanse or shocking hair change — it's far more deliciously disturbing. Charlie Hunnam, our favorite leather-clad bad boy, is trading his motorcycle for something that'll make your skin crawl... quite literally.The first glimpses of Hunnam in Netflix's "Monster: The Ed Gein Story" hit the internet yesterday, and honey, let's just say Jax Teller's perfectly coiffed blonde locks are the least of what's been sacrificed. The promotional images — particularly that haunting shot of him peeling off a face mask (and not the kind you get at Sephora) — sent shivers through social media faster than a Taylor Swift breakup announcement.Set against the bleak landscape of 1950s Wisconsin, this latest chapter in Ryan Murphy's increasingly addictive "Monster" anthology series promises to be the grisliest yet. Murphy, who's never met a dark story he couldn't make darker, appears to have outdone himself. The series drops October 3rd, just in time for spooky season — though you might want to skip the Halloween masks this year.The casting is nothing short of brilliant madness. Hunnam, who's spent years making us swoon as various iterations of the charming rogue, now faces his most transformative role yet. But the real coup? Laurie Metcalf as Gein's mother Augusta. Anyone who caught Metcalf's turn in last year's "Doppelganger" knows she can do creepy with the best of them, and this role seems tailor-made for her particular brand of unsettling intensity.Tom Hollander and Olivia Williams round out the cast as Alfred Hitchcock and Alma Reville — because darling, you can't tell the story of modern horror without nodding to its greatest architect. The connection? Gein's grotesque activities served as inspiration for "Psycho," proving that sometimes truth is more terrifying than fiction.Speaking of truth — Gein's legacy runs deeper than most casual horror fans realize. Before Leatherface revved up his chainsaw or Buffalo Bill demanded lotion application, there was Ed Gein, the unassuming Wisconsin farmer whose real-life atrocities spawned an entire genre. Two confirmed murders might seem almost quaint by today's true-crime standards, but trust me, sweeties — it's what he did after that'll turn your stomach.Max Winkler's directing the lion's share of episodes, with Ian Brennan stepping behind the camera for two. The result, based on early whispers from usually-reliable sources, is a psychological descent that makes "Black Swan" look like a ballet recital. Hunnam, who's also executive producing (because apparently nightmare fuel wasn't enough of a contribution), seems determined to shed his heartthrob status faster than a Hollywood marriage.But here's the real tea: This isn't just another true crime story being served up for our binge-watching pleasure. It's a meditation on how one man's unfathomable acts permanently warped our cultural consciousness. The series asks not just "what happened," but "what does it say about us that we're still fascinated?"Will audiences embrace their beloved Charlie in this drastically different role? That remains to be seen. But one thing's certain — this promises to be the kind of transformation that makes Daniel Day-Lewis's method acting look like amateur hour. Just maybe don't watch it alone... or before dinner... or ever, if you're faint of heart.Remember when the scariest thing about Charlie Hunnam was his dad bod in "The Lost City of Z"? Those were simpler times, darlings. Simpler times indeed.