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Netflix’s chilling true-crime hit Monster: The Ed Gein Story is breaking streaming records — but in Plainfield, Wisconsin, the horror feels all too real. The new dramatization of America’s most infamous killer has reignited painful memories and sparked a wave of Ed Gein dark tourism in Plainfield, with locals pleading for outsiders to stop turning their tragedy into a spectacle. For residents, the Ed Gein timeline is not entertainment — it’s trauma.
Emily Schaut, the town’s Clerk Treasurer, tells reporters the community is exhausted by its renewed notoriety.
“Just like so many places, Plainfield has dark moments in its history,” Schaut said. “We acknowledge this, and we have worked diligently to become more than a single story.”
Ed Gein — the reclusive handyman who inspired Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs — was nicknamed The Butcher of Plainfield after police discovered a nightmare inside his farmhouse in 1957. Chairs stitched from human skin. Masks carved from skulls. And the remains of two murdered women.
Decades later, Netflix has reframed Gein’s grotesque legacy as “The Monster America Needed” — a reflection of how postwar fears of repression and rural isolation shaped modern horror. But for the people of Plainfield, the label feels like a curse that won’t die.
“We don’t want to be defined by one man’s sickness,” Schaut said. “Our town is so much more than its darkest chapter.”
Since the show’s release, curious fans have begun flocking to Plainfield, hoping to glimpse remnants of Gein’s old world. But there’s nothing left to see — his farmhouse burned down in 1958, and most evidence was destroyed decades ago. Still, police say they’re prepared for trespassers.
“For those interested in visiting Plainfield, please respect private property laws associated with the Ed Gein case,” Schaut warned. “Trespassing is enforced.”
Local officers have increased patrols to prevent thrill-seekers from entering cemeteries or private farmland linked to the killings. “We don’t anticipate major issues,” Schaut added, “but we’re ready to handle any public safety concerns.”
Beyond the horror, Gein’s case reshaped American criminal law. His plea of insanity ignited national debate about the line between mental illness and evil — influencing future rulings on competency and criminal responsibility.
Legal analysts note that Gein’s case remains central to discussions on insanity defense reform and the responsibilities of media portrayals of crime. Netflix’s adaptation has also reignited criticism of true-crime ethics — how far entertainment should go when real victims, families, and communities remain scarred.
Determined to reclaim its identity, Plainfield is promoting local fall events to highlight community spirit and resilience rather than tragedy.
“Our town’s identity is rooted in our resilience, not our darkest day,” Schaut said. “We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the vibrant community we are today.”
Monster: The Ed Gein Story, starring Charlie Hunnam, is now streaming on Netflix. While audiences binge another chapter in Ryan Murphy’s Monster anthology, Plainfield hopes viewers will remember that real horror leaves real scars.
In the end, The Monster America Needed may not be about Ed Gein at all — but about a nation still obsessed with its monsters, and the small towns left to live in their shadow.
