Netflix’s ‘Monster’ Ends on an Unexpected Crossover With One of Netflix’s Greatest Thrillers

by

Fans were shocked to discover a connection between the shows Mindhunter and Monster: The Ed Gein Story. Both are based on true events, making the link even more surprising. Mindhunter, set in the 1970s, follows FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Trench as they try to understand what makes serial killers tick. Their work ultimately leads to the development of modern serial killer profiling. The series is based on the 1995 true-crime book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit, written by former FBI agent John E. Douglas, who served as the inspiration for the character of Holden Ford. The show draws on real cases involving serial killers like Edmund Kemper, BTK, and Richard Speck, among others.

Ryan Murphy’s *Monster: The Ed Gein Story* tells the unsettling true story of Ed Gein, a notorious serial killer and grave robber from Plainfield, Wisconsin, during the 1950s. Charlie Hunnam delivers a standout performance as Gein in the third part of this anthology series. Like the show it’s often compared to, both series are based on real people, with some dramatic license taken for entertainment. Many fans who were disappointed by the cancellation of *Mindhunter* found the finale of *Monster* to be a particularly satisfying conclusion.

The Crossover That Shocked Fans


Netflix

The last episode of *Monster* features a visit from two FBI agents who are looking for Ted Bundy. These agents are portrayed as John Douglas and Robert Ressler – the real-life inspirations for the characters Holden and Trench in *Mindhunter*. However, this scene is a fictionalization; the actual FBI agents never interviewed Ed Gein, and neither did their *Mindhunter* counterparts. Furthermore, Gein played no role in the investigation that led to Ted Bundy’s capture.

The new series feels like a tribute to a popular thriller that ended too soon, and dedicated fans are thrilled to see the story and characters revisited. Ian Brennan, the showrunner and co-creator of the series, explained that this was deliberate. He noted that Ed Gein, a notorious figure, may have influenced the real-life investigators, and the show aims to explore his lasting impact on society. He shared this with Tudum.

We aimed to highlight how *Silence of the Lambs* heavily influenced *Mindhunter*. It would be a great way to conclude the discussion by exploring the visual style of that film and then explaining his contributions to the beginnings of FBI criminal profiling.

Will There Be a Third Season of ‘Mindhunter?’


Netflix

As a huge fan of *Mindhunter*, I was so disappointed when Netflix canceled it after just two seasons, even though everyone loved it! It was a really expensive show to make, and apparently, Netflix felt it wasn’t bringing in enough viewers to keep going. David Fincher, the guy who created and directed so much of it, said in 2023 that he’s proud of what we got, but it was just too costly for them to continue investing, and it won’t be happening on Netflix. There’s been talk of maybe a movie or a third season somewhere else, but nothing’s confirmed yet.

As a huge *Mindhunter* fan, I was so excited to see it pop up again in this recent crossover – it gave me real hope for a third season! Sadly, it doesn’t seem likely anytime soon. Charlize Theron, who was also a producer on the show, has said she’d be happy to do another season, but it really comes down to David Fincher. He’s incredibly busy right now, taking on Quentin Tarantino’s *Once Upon a Time in Hollywood* sequel, which is called *The Adventures of Cliff Booth*. It sounds like a lot for him to juggle! If you’re like me and loved *Mindhunter*, or want to check out what all the buzz is about, both *Monster: The Ed Gein Story* and *Mindhunter* are currently streaming on Netflix.

Read More

2025-10-11 03:00