Where was Monster: The Ed Gein Story shot? Revisiting key filming locations of the Netflix series

Netflix's Monster: The Ed Gein Story delves into one of America's most notorious real-life serial murderers, Ed Gein, whose horrific atrocities influenced iconic horror classics such as Psycho and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Though the terrifying narrative transpires in 1950s Wisconsin, the locations were shot across several states to rebuild that era with precision.

The crew worked towards generating an authentic rural and urban backdrop while managing the logisticians' requirements of contemporary filming. From Illinois towns that represented small Wisconsin towns to California studio settings under control every setting was carefully selected to represent Gein's creepy isolation and period-specific details.

While fans binge-watch the show, knowledge of where it was filmed provides a new level of intrigue and authenticity.

Where was Monster: The Ed Gein Story shot? Revisiting key filming locations of the Netflix series

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago was instrumental in making the mid-20th-century period come alive. The city's old buildings and streets doubled for Wisconsin cityscapes, offering the ideal location for interior and exterior shots. Production designers meticulously dressed these sites with old cars, era signage, and props to successfully take viewers back to the 1950s.

The farmhouse interior of Gein, perhaps the most important setting, was replicated within Chicago structures to provide controlled conditions for filming while maintaining authenticity. Attention to detail by the team guaranteed that all the corners captured the darkness and loneliness of Gein's existence.

According to Director Ryan Murphy, Filming in Chicago allowed us to capture the exact atmosphere we wanted, blending realism with cinematic tension.”

Momence and Surrounding Illinois Towns

Momence, and surrounding Kankakee and Saunemin, Illinois, replaced rural Plainfield, Wisconsin, with broad open farmland, Main Street streets, and era architecture. Momence's downtown area was revamped with 1950s-style lighting, signage, and automobiles to craft a period atmosphere. The Saunemin Tap tavern, for example, was outfitted in old-time décor to reflect the social life of small towns during the time.

These places played a crucial role in the exterior shots that needed open terrains and a natural rural ambiance. Merging these Illinois towns, the show had a unified look without causing any disruption to contemporary Wisconsin towns. Production designer Sarah Edwards pointed out, "These towns gave us the perfect canvas for authenticity without compromising the practicalities of filming."

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The judicious use of Illinois and California locations to shoot helped to create the Ed Gein world without sacrificing historical authenticity and cinematic suspense. Chicago offered flexible cityscapes, Momence and the neighboring villages portrayed the rural remoteness, and Los Angeles studios provided climate-controlled interiors. The locations served both narrative and audience immersion purposes by giving viewers a sense of being present during the 1950s period.

By combining authenticity and artistic design, the series brings home the chilling truth of Gein's crimes and life. Monster: The Ed Gein Story. True crime enthusiasts and history buffs will appreciate additional insight to the production when visiting these locations. It shows that place and design can bring stories even higher than the script.

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