🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Chuck Parello
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Horror, Thriller, Biography
- Release year: 2000
- Runtime (length): 1h 29min
- IMDb rating: 5.5/10 (5.8K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 20%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A mama’s boy has some unconventional hobbies, like interior decorating with human remains, and takes his commitment to recycling to a whole new level.
🍿 Ed Gein: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Ed’s Isolated Life and Tormented Past
The film portrays Ed Gein as a reclusive farmer living in rural Wisconsin, haunted by a strict upbringing and the recent loss of his domineering mother, Augusta. Flashbacks reveal her controlling influence and the distorted religious beliefs she instilled in him. He struggles with loneliness and societal awkwardness, making him an outcast in the small community.

Grave Robbing and Macabre Discoveries
Driven by a disturbed obsession with his mother and a warped fascination with the female form, Ed begins robbing local graves, exhuming the bodies of women resembling Augusta. He brings these remains back to his farmhouse, using the body parts to create gruesome artifacts and furniture. The film shows hints of his increasingly bizarre behavior, causing unease among the townsfolk.

Escalation to Murder
Ed’s mental state deteriorates, and he begins hearing his dead mother’s voice, urging him to purify the world of sinful women. This culminates in the murders of Mary Hogan, a local tavern owner, and Collette Marshall, a hardware store clerk. The discovery of Collette’s body leads to the investigation of Ed’s farmhouse, revealing the horrific extent of his crimes and shocking the community.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Ed Gein (Steve Railsback): A reclusive farmer haunted by his mother’s memory, who descends into grave robbing and murder.
- Augusta W. Gein (Carrie Snodgress): Ed’s deceased but still dominating mother whose religious fanaticism and twisted worldview heavily influence his actions.
- Collette Marshall (Carol Mansell): A local store owner who befriends Ed and becomes one of his victims.
- Mary Hogan (Sally Champlin): A barmaid who shows kindness to Ed and ultimately suffers a brutal fate.
- Sheriff Jim Stillwell (Pat Skipper): The sheriff responsible for investigating the disappearances and uncovering Ed Gein’s horrifying crimes.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Ed Gein: “I get lonely in this house all by myself.” – Expresses Gein’s isolation and hints at his motivations for his actions.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $1 million
- Domestic Gross: $5,708
- Worldwide Gross: $5,708
💥 Ed Gein Reviews
Personal Review
I went into this expecting a gore-fest, but was surprised by the psychological approach. The film focuses more on Ed Gein’s twisted psyche and his relationship with his mother. I thought Steve Railsback did an excellent job portraying the quiet creepiness of Gein. The film’s not perfect, but it offers a unsettling look into a disturbed mind and it’s more a psycological study, not something to be looked at if you want blood and guts. There were moments that genuinely made me uneasy, like when Gein is dancing in the moonlight wearing the woman’s face.
- Who would enjoy:
- “True crime enthusiasts”
- “Viewers interested in the psychological profiles of serial killers”
- “Fans of Steve Railsback’s acting”
- “Those interested in films that inspired horror classics”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Disturbing themes”
- “Gore (limited but present)”
- “Grave robbing”
- “Murder”
- “Depiction of mental illness”
- “Some nudity”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “Railsback delivers a chilling performance as Ed Gein, capturing the unsettling banality of evil. While the low budget is evident, the film succeeds in creating a disturbing atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll. The film hints the gore aspects, and fails to properly depict Ed Gein’s bizarre and perverted sexual preferences
- HorrorNews.net: “A respectfully made, factual retelling of a story that many have fantasized on. The story is good, but nothing makes it a must-watch movie. Lacks action and something more to make you wanna watch it, but a solid flick to educate.
- Film Threat: “Railsback manages to get the nuance of Gein and gives a performance as demented momma’s boy. One should watch for the actual atrocities and mind behind, rather than the man himself and how he came to be what he was.
Audience Reactions
Steve Railsback’s performance as Ed Gein is disturbingly believable.: Most people agree that Steve Railsback’s portrayal of Ed Gein is one of the strongest aspects of the film.
A more realistic adaptation to the source movie than most horror flicks.: This movie has received both positive and negative reviews, with people divided over gore levels and faithfulness to the real crime.
Overall Consensus: While not a masterpiece, ‘Ed Gein’ provides a decent and disturbing look into the life of a man who inspired some of horror’s most iconic characters.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Steve Railsback, known for portraying Charles Manson in ‘Helter Skelter’, took on the role of Ed Gein, aiming for a nuanced portrayal rather than a caricature.”
- “The filmmakers intentionally avoided excessive gore to focus on the psychological aspects of Ed Gein’s character and motivations.”
- “The film includes actual newsreel footage from the time of Ed Gein’s arrest, adding a layer of authenticity to the story.”
🖥️ How to Watch Ed Gein?
Ed Gein (also known as In the Light of the Moon) is available for purchase on platforms like Amazon. Check your local listings for streaming options, as availability may vary. It is not widely available on major streaming services like Prime Video or Apple TV without purchase at the time of this writing.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Ed Gein, you might like these similar films:
- Deranged (1974): A more graphic and disturbing depiction of the Ed Gein story, offering a different perspective on the same events.
- Psycho (1960): Inspired by Ed Gein, ‘Psycho’ explores similar themes of a domineering mother and a disturbed individual.
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974): Inspired by Ed Gein, this film has elements of cannibalism and human skin masks.
🛒 Ed Gein Related Products
- Ed Gein: American Monster: Explore the history of Ed Gein with A&E’s American Monster. A must-watch for true crime fans.
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Texas is a 3rd person asymmetrical horror experience based on the groundbreaking and iconic 1974 horror film. Explore the world of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
- Psycho (4K Ultra HD): Experience Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece in stunning 4K Ultra HD.
- Ed Gein: Dreams Die First: A psychological horror that delves into Ed Gein’s dark journey. This book has a mature audience warning due to content.
🎧 Soundtrack
Ed Gein features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, Ed Gein is based on the real-life crimes of Edward Theodore Gein, a murderer and body snatcher from Wisconsin in the 1950s.
Ed Gein’s crimes heavily influenced iconic horror films such as ‘Psycho,’ ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,’ and ‘The Silence of the Lambs.’
While ‘Ed Gein’ attempts to portray the facts of the case, some details may be dramatized for cinematic effect. Some critics note inaccuracies in the portrayal.
The movie was filmed in Santa Clarita, California.
🔥 Bonus Content
How They Caught Serial Killer Ed Gein
Ever wondered how they actually caught Ed Gein? This video breaks down the investigation and what led to his arrest – it’s fascinating (and a little disturbing) to see how it all unfolded!
The True Story Behind “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”
Did you know that ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ was inspired by a real person? This video dives into the chilling connection between Ed Gein and the iconic horror film. You won’t believe how much of it is based on reality.
Criminal Psychologist Explains The Sick Mind Of Ed Gein
Want to get inside the mind of Ed Gein? A criminal psychologist breaks down his upbringing and what might have led him down such a dark path. It’s a seriously insightful (if unsettling) look at a truly disturbed individual.
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