The first teaser for Monster: The Ed Gein Story reminds us that, in the world of true crime, few names have shaped pop culture as deeply as the “Butcher of Plainfield.” The images make it clear how his crimes echoed through some of the most terrifying villains ever created: Buffalo Bill from The Silence of the Lambs (the one Clarice could only catch with Hannibal Lecter’s help), the chainsaw-wielding killer from The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and perhaps the scariest of them all, Norman Bates from Psycho. In one way or another, they all trace their roots back to Gein’s darkness.

At the center of it now stands Charlie Hunnam, an actor with a devoted fan base who has long avoided the predictable path to megastardom. His Ed Gein, however, promises to change everything. The teaser shows him behind a mask of human skin, surrounded by the oppressive silence of the Wisconsin fields, haunted by the domineering voice of his mother, Augusta. Their toxic relationship already suggests this won’t be just another portrayal, but a performance designed to be disturbingly unforgettable.

Monster has already proven it can resonate by revisiting real-life monsters — just look at the frenzy around the Dahmer season. But with Gein, Ryan Murphy and Netflix seem to be aiming even higher, not only because of Hunnam’s chilling performance but also because of the symbolic weight of the character: the origin point of modern horror itself.

And, of course, the timing is no accident: the series premieres in October, right on the eve of Halloween. A choice with a wicked sense of humor, as if Netflix itself were declaring that the season of scares starts here.