In news that should surprise absolutely no-one,Ryan Murphyis being called out again over the latest instalment of hisMonsterseries, which focuses on Ed Gein. This time the criticism is coming from Osgood Perkins, the son ofPsychostar,Anthony Perkins.
Monster: The Ed Gein Storywas released onNetflixat the beginning of October and seesQueer as Folk‘sCharlie Hunnamportray the real-life serial killer and body snatcher who served as the inspiration forThe Texas Chainsaw MassacreandThe Silence of the Lambs.
As well as exploring Gein’s story,Monsteralso explores the influence Gein’s crimes had, including on Alfred Hitchcock’s hit moviePsycho.
@pinknewsOsgood Perkins, son of ‘Psycho’ star Anthony Perkins, has shared his view on Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story,’ telling TMZ he “wouldn’t watch it with a 10-foot pole.” Perkins says streamers have made a business on upselling true crime stories. The ‘Longlegs’ director also claims they regularly attempt to give them "glamourous and meaningful content." Osgood revealed he worries about contemporary culture being "reshaped in real time by Overlords" and added it's "increasingly devoid of context and that the Netflix-ization of real pain [ie the authentic human experiences wrought by 'actual events'] is playing for the wrong team."#AnthonyPerkins#OsgoodPerkins#RyanMurphy#EdGein#LGBTQIA♬ Spooky, quiet, scary atmosphere piano songs – Skittlegirl Sound
The depiction of Anthony Perkins (Joey Pollari) has already been criticised as“tasteless”due to the disturbing link drawn between Gein and Perkins.
In one scene Hitchcock (played by Tom Hollander) explains to Perkins why he cast him as Norman Bates, due to his closeted sexuality. “Gein had a secret,” Hitchcock explains. “A sexual function he could not express, and his inability to express his version of the sexual act turned inwards and transformed into sickness.”
“I chose you, because you alone understand this sickness. You have a secret Mr. Perkins, don’t you?” Hitchcock adds: “And this secret is making you sick. I had to cast you, Anthony. You’re like him.”
Perkins faced speculation about his sexuality for much of his career. The actor, who was closeted his whole life, was at one point in a relationship with Tab Hunter, who in his 2005 memoir, Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star in which he discussed the pair’s relationship. Perkins also underwent ‘conversion therapy’ because of his sexuality, all of which is also played out inMonster.
Now, Osgood Perkins, the son of thePsychostar, has shared his take on the depiction of his father. Speaking toTMZthe younger Perkins said he hadn’t seen the show and “wouldn’t watch it with a 10-foot pole.” He also criticised streamers for profiting off true crime stories in the name of “glamourous and meaningful content.”
TheLonglegsdirector added that culture is “increasingly devoid of context and that the Netflix-ization of real pain [ie the authentic human experiences wrought by ‘actual events’] is playing for the wrong team.”
Murphy’s latest season of Monster is not the first to draw a backlash from viewers. The two previous seasons, focused on Jeffrey Dahmer and then Erik and Lyle Menendezrespectively also drew criticism.
The latter was criticised for glorifying true crime as well as sexualising the brothers’ relationship with each other. Erik even called out Murphy, complaining about how he was depicted. Murphy responded saying the Menendez brothers should be thanking him for the interest in their case that he generated.
All episodes of Monster are available on Netflix.
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