Ryan Murphy has built a career on bold, often controversial storytelling, and his true crime fascination has found a perfect home on Netflix with the anthology series Monster. Since 2021, Murphy and co-creator Ian Brennan have dramatized the lives of America's most notorious killers, from Jeffrey Dahmer to Ed Gein. Each season takes a different approach, some more successful than others. With Season 4 now wrapped, it's time to stack them up.
4. Monster: The Ed Gein Story (2025)
The most recent installment, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, takes us back to the 1950s to explore the life of the Wisconsin grave robber and murderer who inspired countless horror icons. Charlie Hunnam delivers a chillingly subdued performance as Ed, a gentle giant haunted by his fanatically religious mother, played with ferocious intensity by Laurie Metcalf. The season digs into Ed's decaying farmhouse and his spiral into grotesque acts after his mother's death.
Where the season stumbles is in its sprawling tangents. Instead of staying focused on Ed, the narrative frequently veers into how his story influenced Hollywood, from Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho to The Silence of the Lambs. While these pop culture detours are fascinating, they dilute the central character's arc. The inclusion of a surreal dream sequence featuring Ted Bundy and Charles Manson feels like a step too far, undermining the otherwise grounded horror. It's an ambitious experiment that doesn't quite land.
3. Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story (2026)
History was made with the fourth season, which spotlighted the series' first female killer: Lizzie Borden. Ella Beatty stars as the young woman accused of brutally murdering her father and stepmother in 1892. The season smartly uses the famous skipping rhyme sparingly, instead focusing on Lizzie's suffocating home life and the fictionalized bond with the family's Irish maid, Bridget Sullivan (Vicky Krieps).
The chemistry between Beatty and Krieps is electric, but the decision to invent a queer romance feels like a stretch, undercutting the historical mystery. The season also brings in Sarah Paulson as Aileen Wuornos, a connection that feels more like stunt casting than narrative necessity. While the themes of female rage and societal oppression are compelling, the artistic liberties sometimes overshadow the real story. Still, it's a visually stunning and thought-provoking season that sparked conversation.
2. Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022)
The season that started it all remains a cultural phenomenon. Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story stars Evan Peters in a career-defining performance as the serial killer, capturing both his charm and his monstrousness. The series doesn't shy away from the gruesome details, but it also gives voice to the victims and their families, a move that was both praised and criticized. It sparked important conversations about race, homophobia, and police negligence.
The show's unflinching look at Dahmer's crimes and the systemic failures that allowed him to operate for so long made it a must-watch. It also broke Netflix records, becoming one of the platform's most-watched series. While some argued it glamorized the killer, the season's impact is undeniable. It set a high bar for the anthology, blending true crime with social commentary in a way that felt fresh and urgent.
1. Monster: The Menendez Brothers Story (2024)
The second season, focusing on Lyle and Erik Menendez, is the crown jewel of the anthology. The series dives deep into the brothers' lives, exploring the alleged abuse they suffered at the hands of their parents. It's a harrowing, emotionally charged narrative that challenges viewers to question their own judgments. The performances by Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch are nothing short of extraordinary, capturing the brothers' trauma and desperation.
What sets this season apart is its willingness to sit with ambiguity. It doesn't offer easy answers, instead presenting the brothers' actions as the result of a lifetime of pain. The courtroom drama is gripping, but the real power lies in the intimate, heartbreaking scenes between the brothers. It's a masterclass in true crime storytelling, and it reignited public interest in the case, even leading to new legal developments. For that, it earns the top spot.
As Murphy and Brennan continue to explore the darkest corners of American history, Monster remains a must-watch for true crime fans. Whether you prefer the gritty realism of Dahmer or the emotional depth of Menendez, there's something for everyone. And with each new season, the anthology proves that the most terrifying stories are often the ones that are true.
