Netflix just released season 3 of Monster — which focused on Ed Gein — but fans are already pointing out possible hints at who could be headlining the next installments.
During the Friday, October 3, finale, viewers caught a glimpse of several prolific serial killers including Richard Speck, Ed Kemper, Jerry Brudos and Charles Manson. But there was one specific scene that viewers have shared on TikTok as proof that Ryan Murphy already has his subjects picked out for the next few seasons.
The conclusion to season 3 followed Gein’s time in an institution after he was linked to two murders — and several other disappearances — but was found unfit to stand trial. While receiving treatment, Gein had fantasies about how he helped the FBI catch Ted Bundy (John T. O’Brien).
But it was the moment where Bundy picked up his latest victim that made some think he was going to be explored further in a later season. While O’Brien is credited for the role of the serial killer who kidnapped, raped and murdered dozens of young women in the ’70s, most of the shots of him were largely out of focus or his face was concealed from view.
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Netflix has already announced that Lizzie Borden would be at the center of season 4 — but what about season 5? While Murphy hasn’t elaborated on the introduction of Bundy in season 3, he recently weighed in on possible serial killers who could inspire new episodes of Monster.
“When you look at those crimes,” Murphy told Variety earlier this month about why he wasn’t interested in Bundy. “What are the themes there? It doesn’t ask you any questions about society.”
Murphy was also asked about Luigi Mangione, to which he replied, “We have a ‘maybe one day’ file. We know nothing about [Luigi yet though].”
While Bundy might not be at the center of Murphy’s scripted TV series, he has been brought to life multiple times over the years. On the small screen, Mark Harmon and James Marsters played him in separate projects. The film versions of Bundy’s story featured Michael Reilly Burke, Billy Campbell, Cary Elwes, Luke Kirby, Chad Michael Murray and Zac Efron in the titular role.
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“Ted Bundy is a vile, vile human being. … I can’t express enough how much I loathe the man that this movie is about,” Efron, 37 told Us Weekly and other reporters in 2019. “The fact is this really happened … the fact is that the whole world — literally all the media, everybody — was capable of believing that this guy was innocent. Talk about white privilege. … Every major topic in this movie is bent on showing you how evil this person is.”
Efron added that he did not “quite understand” how a “likable actor” like him ended up portraying Bundy in the biopic. “When you see the movie, if you don’t think either me or Ted Bundy is the biggest piece of s*** in the world and don’t want to be like him, then something is wrong,” he explained. “This was a very challenging and trepidatious role.”
Bundy was arrested in 1975 for aggravated kidnapping and attempted criminal assault. He later became a suspect in various unsolved homicides across several states, which led to him escaping prison twice and committing three murders before being recaptured in 1978. Bundy received three death sentences in two trials and was executed at age 42 in 1989.
Monster is currently streaming on Netflix.
