Explaining the Mindhunter Reference in the Finale of Monster: The Ed Gein Story
True crime enthusiasts tuning into Monster: The Ed Gein Story were pleasantly surprised to find a connection to the beloved series Mindhunter.
In the final episode, which aired on Friday, October 3, Monster presented their interpretation of Ted Bundy, portrayed by John T. O’Brien, who was being pursued by FBI agents John Douglas (Sean Carrigan) and Robert Ressler (Caleb Ruminer).
Their investigation led them to Jerry Brudos (Happy Anderson), known as the Shoe Fetish Slayer. Although he couldn’t provide the needed information, he directed them to Ed Gein (Charlie Hunnam).
“We wanted to emphasize how he influenced Mindhunter through Silence of the Lambs, tonally,” showrunner Ian Brennan shared with Tudum on Friday. “It was a fun way to conclude, utilizing cinematic vocabulary and discussing his role in the early days of FBI profiling.”
This resulted in a meeting between Gein and three agents, including Ann Burgess (Megan Ketch), who traveled across the country interviewing notorious serial killers to understand their psyche. This scene may resonate with Netflix viewers familiar with the short-lived series Mindhunter.
Based on the 1995 book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit, Mindhunter traced the establishment of the Behavioral Science Unit at the FBI in the late ’70s, marking the dawn of criminal profiling. Notably, Monster featured parallels to a real team of agents and welcomed back Anderson, who reprised his role as Brudos after his initial portrayal in Mindhunter.
Mindhunter, starring Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, and Anna Torv, ran for two seasons but was put on indefinite hold as executive producer David Fincher sought to pursue other projects. Although there were hints at a possible revival, Fincher confirmed in 2023 that the series has officially concluded.
Recently, McCallany, 62, sparked interest by teasing the potential for a third season on Netflix.
“I met with David Fincher a few months ago, and he mentioned that there’s a possibility it could return as three two-hour films, but it’s just a possibility,” he told CBR in June. “I know writers are working on it, but David needs to be satisfied with the scripts.”
McCallany added, “I recently wrote a script that he kindly provided feedback on. I was in script revisions with David for two and a half years… he’s very meticulous, which is why I consider him the best director in Hollywood. He gave me a glimmer of hope during our meeting, but everything would need to perfectly align for it to happen.”
Groff, too, has expressed support for a revival in the past.
“For me, Mindhunter is Fincher. The entire experience was an honor and a privilege to work alongside him,” he told The Hollywood Reporter in 2021. “Whenever he decides to create another one, I’ll be there in an instant. I have complete trust in his vision and instincts, so I always leave it in his capable hands.”
Both Monster and Mindhunter are currently available for streaming on Netflix.
