Hollywood’s ongoing fascination with serial killers is one of the few things we can count on as a society. With America’s interest in these monsters resulting in high demand for true crime content, it is easy to see why the subgenre remains bankable. While we see countless films about these infamous murders, I find the fictional characters inspired by them more interesting. This is why when I discovered that Ed Gein was the blueprint for some of our favorite killers, it made them even more disturbing. Gein, also known as the Butcher of Plainfield or the Plainfield Ghoul, is in the DNA of many characters most of us grew up watching. 

Ed Gein was known for exhuming bodies to take parts as keepsakes. He used some of the pieces to fashion clothing, furniture, etc. As with most serial killers, Gein also had an unusual relationship with his parents, specifically his mother. So, obviously, there is a lot to mine here when creating unsettling characters. This explains why many writers return to this personality to give actors unsettling moments even in the most unassuming movies. Looking specifically at Con Air’s Garland Greene (played by Steve Buscemi). This is wild because Buscemi starred in Ed and His Dead Mother as a guy named Ed with a bizarre relationship with his dead mom. The irony of a nice guy like Buscemi getting two attempts at characters based on the same serial killer is not lost on me. However, I digress. I am here today with four horror movies we saw way too young to connect to Gein’s horrendous legacy. Once you know these villains were inspired by a real and disturbing person, it makes you look at them very differently.

The Best Movies Directly Inspired By Ed Gein

Psycho

Where You Can Watch: Netflix

A secretary steals a bag of cash from her job and hits the road. However, she unfortunately checks into the Bates Motel, where Norman Bates and his mysterious mother may pose a threat. Finding out Anthony Perkins’ character is based on Ed Gein changed my brain chemistry. This might be why Gein is one of the serial killers I actually did a little bit of research on. I figured the novel by Robert Bloch that the movie is based on was just super creative until I was a teen who realized Norma and Norman were based on Gein and his belief that he could rebuild his mother from various body parts he stole. He also planned to wear his “mom” suit in the moonlight. 

Deranged 

Where You Can Watch: Tubi

A rural farmer turns to grave robbing and murder after the death of his mother, whose corpse he keeps as a companion. The plot is loosely based on the crimes of Ed Gein and even exclaims it is inspired by true events and has only changed the names and locations. This marries parts of Psycho and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre with almost Coen brother humor. The late Roberts Blossom plays Ezra Cobb, our killer. He skins victims to make masks and also pulls other bodies to hang out with his dead mother. Jeff Gillen and Alan Ormsby directed this 1974 nod at Gein and does not get the same respect as the other films on the list.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Where You Can Watch: Peacock, Plex, Pluto TV, Prime Video, The Roku Channel, and Tubi

Five friends road tripping through rural Texas stumble across a seemingly deserted house holding a huge secret. While Leatherface’s chainsaw and hometown are changes to the story, his love of wearing other people’s faces is very similar to Gein’s. Ed Gein is not the only serial killer this movie is under the influence of, but he is the one that stands out the most. After all, he also keeps his mother’s corpse on hand, so it is hard not to think of Ed. While this beloved title does take its fair share of liberties with the source material, it is clear that Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel’s creation has many similarities to Gein. Which might explain why it still gets under our skin today.

The Silence of the Lambs

Where You Can Watch: Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Tubi

A young F.B.I. cadet works with an incarcerated cannibal to catch another serial killer who skins his victims. A lot can be said about the character of Buffalo Bill (played by Ted Levine). However, one thing we should all be able to agree on is that he is another character wearing the skin and hair of his victims. As a kid, most of us were not aware a real person inspired the serial killer they were hunting. As an adult armed with that knowledge, the film is even more chilling. The Silence of the Lambs is also one of the few horror movies to win statues at The Academy Awards. 

While plenty of movies nod at Ed Gein’s unusual crimes, these four titles are some of the most interesting to do so. If you have already seen these, there is no shortage of media dedicated to this midwestern body snatcher. However, many of those titles are more direct in their approaches. That is not my cup of tea, but perhaps it is perfect for people who are fans of true crime. 

My New Year’s resolution is to spend more time watching Shudder. They seem to have gotten that memo because they are adding so many movies I love, like, or want to see this January. The streamer is adding John Carpenter’s The Thing, 2023’s The Vourdalak, and fresh from the fests Red Rooms. So, they seem to have something to match everyone’s freak as they kick the year off in horrific style. This makes me happy because I will not be venturing outside again this winter, so I will have time to watch all of these terrifying treats. Check out the five titles that I feel like we should all have on our radar this month below.

The Best Movies to Stream on Shudder This Month

Grafted (2025)

A shy scholarship student studying medical research will do anything to get rid of the birthmark on her face. So, she turns to her late father’s research on a new revolutionary skin grafting procedure for help. I’m looking forward to this Shudder original because it’s a satirical body horror, and it has a woman of color in the lead role. Those are too many of my favorite things to not clear my schedule and see if this is my new personality. Maybe Grafted will find itself in the running to be this year’s The Substance. Or, perhaps it’ll be a gross little time we love for different reasons. Either way, I would like to hit play already! 

You can watch Grafted on January 24th.

Get Away

A family’s vacation to a remote Swedish island takes a dark turn when their arrival coincides with a local festival that celebrates a dark history. The family tries to make the best of a weird situation but soon realizes a serial killer is also on the loose. I missed this movie in 2024, so I am happy my favorite streamer is giving it to me in the new year. I’m here for vacations getting ruined by serial killers, and I cannot wait to see this British horror comedy. Fingers crossed that the jokes land and kills are extra bloody. 

You can watch Get Away on January 10th

Invoking Yell (2024)

A trio of women head to the woods to shoot their demo tape. This Chilean found footage film about an all-girl black metal band is set in the 1990s. So, if nothing else, it’s going to be the coolest thing to hit Shudder this month. If it happens to be half as creepy as it looks, then this movie will be a ride. I have a good feeling about this one and managed to miss it during its entire festival run. I cannot think of a better way to ring in the new year than to get to the bottom of what this group finds in the woods. 

You can watch Invoking Yell on January 1st.

Mind Body Spirit (2024)

An aspiring yoga influencer picks up an unusual ritual practice left by her deceased estranged grandmother. This yoga found footage movie finally has a home so I can make other people watch it. I lucked out and saw it last year so that I could interview the filmmakers. I found this movie to be an eerie and funny little gem. So, I have been waiting to hear how it lands for people who are bigger found footage fans than I am. Hopefully, it’ll find a larger audience because there are so many cool things about this project that need to be celebrated.

You can watch Mind Body Spirit on January 1st.

The Others (2001)

Following the end of WWII, a woman caring for her two photosensitive children becomes convinced their home is haunted. This Nicole Kidman horror movie is never streaming and, until recently, had a hefty rental price tag, which is why I have not seen it since I was a child. The Others is clearly my first priority on New Year’s Day. I need to know if it is as good as I remember, and I need to know ASAP. I advise you all to catch this unsettling story while you can. Who knows when we’ll see it on a streamer again. Nicole Kidman loves a good thriller, but she rarely makes an appearance in proper horror films. So, it is worth a rewatch for that reason, if nothing else.

You can watch The Others on January 1st.

Shudder is really doing the heavy lifting this winter, and I am so grateful. I am serious when I say I want to speak to the manager. I need to thank the entire team for giving us the chance to watch The Others on the first day of the new year. Plus, all the other cool titles that seem custom-tailored to my taste. My cold little heart is so happy!