Netflix’s Monster: The Ed Gein Story has shocked viewers not just with its disturbing subject matter but also with a jaw-dropping Easter egg in its finale. The final moments connect the Ryan Murphy true-crime anthology directly to David Fincher’s Mindhunter, creating a crossover that fans of both series never saw coming. Here’s what the ending means, how the connection works, and what it could signal for the future of Netflix’s serial-killer universe.
The Shocking Ending of Monster: The Ed Gein Story
The finale of Monster: The Ed Gein Story closes with Ed Gein’s arrest after years of gruesome crimes in 1950s Wisconsin. Gein, played by Charlie Hunnam, is known for killing two women and robbing graves, using body parts to make furniture and clothing. The episode leans into the real-life horror that inspired films like Psycho, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs.
But it’s the final scene that turns heads. After Gein’s capture, two FBI agents visit him in prison, claiming they’re investigating the whereabouts of Ted Bundy. The agents introduce themselves as John Douglas and Robert Ressler — the founding members of the Behavioral Science Unit and the real-life inspirations behind Jonathan Groff’s Holden Ford and Holt McCallany’s Bill Tench in Mindhunter.
The Mindhunter Connection Explained
This crossover didn’t happen by accident. Showrunner Ian Brennan confirmed in an interview with Netflix’s Tudum that the inclusion of Douglas and Ressler was deliberate. Brennan said:
“We wanted to underline the last thing tonally — that through Silence of the Lambs, [Gein] really influenced Mindhunter as well. That would be a fun way to put a cap on it, to use this other filmic vocabulary and then talk about the ways that he was part of those early days of FBI profiling.”
Though the visit never occurred in real life, this fictional meeting bridges two of Netflix’s most critically acclaimed true-crime projects. Even more interestingly, Jerry Brudos, a serial killer featured in both Monster and Mindhunter, is portrayed by the same actor — Happy Anderson — further strengthening the shared-universe theory.
Why This Connection Matters
By linking Monster to Mindhunter, Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan are doing more than fan service — they’re expanding the psychological crime universe Netflix began in 2017. The crossover implies that the Behavioral Science Unit’s origins were shaped by the atrocities of killers like Gein, whose crimes informed FBI profiling methods.
This subtle tie-in also blurs the lines between fiction and history, allowing Murphy to explore how pop culture and real-life crimes influence each other. For longtime fans, the reveal feels like an invitation — perhaps even a plea — for David Fincher to return to Mindhunter.
Will Mindhunter Return for Season 3?
Unfortunately, a new season of Mindhunter seems unlikely for now. Despite massive fan demand, David Fincher has made it clear that he’s busy with other projects, including The Adventures of Cliff Booth, a sequel to Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, and a follow-up to The Social Network. There’s also talk of his involvement in a rumored English-language Squid Game spin-off.
Still, Monster’s ending might be Netflix’s way of testing audience interest. If the response is strong enough, the streamer could push to revive Mindhunter or even integrate its tone and characters into future Monster seasons.
What’s Next for Monster Season 4?
Ryan Murphy has already confirmed that Season 4 of Monster will focus on Lizzie Borden, the infamous woman tried (and acquitted) for killing her father and stepmother with an ax in 1892. The new season promises a psychological and historical deep dive similar to Ed Gein’s chilling story.
Given the new Mindhunter connection, it’s possible that the FBI agents — or their younger counterparts — could reappear to frame how law enforcement evolved in response to America’s earliest serial murders. That approach would keep the anthology grounded in its “monster” theme while giving fans more of the crossover they crave.
Fan Reactions and Theories
Social media has been buzzing since the finale dropped. Many fans believe Netflix intentionally planted this connection to gauge interest in a shared “True Crime Universe.” Others have praised Murphy’s decision to merge Monster and Mindhunter, calling it a “genius move” that gives closure to fans who have long awaited a third season.
One Reddit comment summed up the fandom’s excitement perfectly:
“If Monster and Mindhunter exist in the same timeline, Netflix just gave us the true-crime Avengers.”
FAQs About Monster: The Ed Gein Story
1. Did the FBI agents really visit Ed Gein in real life?
No. The meeting between Gein and the agents was a fictional addition created by the show to connect it to Mindhunter.
2. Are John Douglas and Robert Ressler real people?
Yes. They were real FBI agents who pioneered the study of serial killers and inspired Mindhunter’s main characters.
3. Is Jerry Brudos played by the same actor in both shows?
Yes. Happy Anderson plays Jerry Brudos in both Mindhunter and Monster: The Ed Gein Story.
4. Will there be a Season 4 of Monster?
Yes. Ryan Murphy has confirmed that Season 4 will center on Lizzie Borden.
5. Could this mean a Mindhunter revival is coming?
While not confirmed, the crossover strongly hints that Netflix is considering expanding the universe — possibly reviving or reimagining Mindhunter in the future.
Conclusion
Monster: The Ed Gein Story ends with one of the most unexpected yet thrilling twists in recent Netflix history. By connecting to Mindhunter, Ryan Murphy has opened the door to a shared world of psychological crime stories that fans have long been craving. Whether it’s Lizzie Borden next or a full Mindhunter revival, one thing’s certain — this universe of monsters is far from finished.
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