The story of the dark life of notorious serial killer Edward Theodore Gaine has inspired some of the most beloved horror films in movie history. A Murderous Mind: Ed Gein examines the twisted mind of this bizarre lunatic, trying to separate fact from fiction when it comes to Gein’s many depictions in popular culture.
While none of “Psycho,” “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” and “The Silence of the Lambs” are full-fledged biopics, they all share the creepy element of Gaine’s story.
Like the Norman Bates character, Gaine has a strong mother whom he adores. He grew up in an abusive home where his father was drunk and prone to temper tantrums, and he relied on his mother for strength and guidance. Her death in 1945 is believed to have been a major factor in his descent into a morbid fantasy world.
On the surface, Guyon appears to be a suave, awkward but well-mannered individual who lives alone in his farmhouse in Plainfield, Wisconsin. In fact, he made frequent late-night trips to nearby Plainview Cemetery and scoured for body parts on recently buried bodies. His reign of terror also included kidnapping and murder.
After his arrest, the police search Gaine’s farmhouse and discover that he is anything but a docile fool; in fact, he is a psychopath the world has never seen before. They found furniture made from bones, cups made from skulls and masks made from the skin of victims’ faces.
The film uses scattered news footage and an appropriate library of images to weave a disturbing and eerie story. In addition to focusing on Gaine’s difficult upbringing and heinous acts of brutality and profanity, the film also details the course of his arrest, his plea for release in 1974, and his eventual death a decade later.
Murderous Minds: Ed Gein is not for the faint of heart. But if you’re fascinated by horror, this movie offers an informative look at events that have long shrouded in disgrace.
