Director Calls New Ed Gein Series a Captivating "Character Study"

As of October 2nd, 2025, director Max Winkler is gearing up for the debut of the latest season of the hit horror anthology series, which will focus on the chilling story of real-life killer Ed Gein. While Netflix has characterized the new season as its "most harrowing yet," Winkler firmly disagrees with that assessment.

"I don't consider it harrowing," Winkler tells Entertainment Weekly. "To me, it's like a really, really interesting character study on somebody who is... so uniquely influential in American pop culture." Winkler explains that Gein, the subject of the new season, is the "original monster" whose crimes inspired iconic horror films like Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Winkler praises the "terrific" performance of lead actor Charlie Hunnam, who underwent a dramatic physical transformation to embody the notorious murderer. The director is excited for audiences to experience the full journey of the series, which starts in 1944 in Plainfield, Wisconsin and takes viewers on a compelling exploration of Gein's mental illness and the isolation he faced.

Winkler also provides an update on the highly anticipated next season of the anthology, which will center on accused axe murderer Lizzie Borden. He promises that the new season will give context to Borden's story and the challenges women faced in 1890s America, without "heroicizing" her in any way.