"Hocus Pocus" Star Tobias Jelinek Chills as Killer Richard Speck in Netflix's "Monster"

In a stark contrast to his lighthearted role in the Disney classic "Hocus Pocus," actor Tobias Jelinek has taken on a much darker character in Netflix's "Monster" anthology series. Jelinek portrays the notorious serial killer Richard Speck, who was convicted of murdering eight student nurses in Chicago in the 1960s.

Filmed on location at the Stateville Correctional Center in Illinois, where Speck was incarcerated until his death in 1991, Jelinek's portrayal of the killer is a marked departure from anything he's done before. The actor worked closely with a special effects team to physically transform himself, channeling the more disturbing elements of Speck's personality.

In the season finale, Jelinek's Speck is shown idolizing another infamous killer, Ed Gein, while serving time in prison. This thematic exploration of the human psyche and the complexities of darkness within the spirit is a central focus of the show. As Jelinek explains, "Ed Gein, in the story, you end up having empathy in a certain respect. The biggest question is mental health. If he sought help earlier, would it have been a different story?"

Through Jelinek's chilling performance, the series challenges audiences to consider alternative perspectives on the nature of evil and the factors that can lead individuals down such disturbing paths.