The Netflix series MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story is a true-crime / drama anthology entry in the Monster franchise, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan.
It stars Charlie Hunnam as Ed Gein, along with Laurie Metcalf, Tom Hollander, Olivia Williams, and others. The season explores how Ed Gein’s life, crimes, and fixation with his mother shaped his monstrous legacy.
Table of Contents
When and Where Was Netflix’s MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story Filmed?
| Film Name | MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story |
|---|---|
| Genres | True-Crime / Drama |
| Filming Locations | Chicago and Los Angeles |
| Filming Dates | Began late 2024 / through early 2025; Chicago shoots from February 10, 2025 |
| Cinematography by | Jason McCormick, John T. Connor, Barry Baz Idoine |
| Release Date | October 3, 2025 |
As per What’s on Netflix Details Production for season 3 (the Ed Gein entry) was slated to begin in late October 2024, by November 2024, filming was underway in Los Angeles. In February 2025, work moved to Chicago, Illinois, with principal production expected there.
Other reported locations include Momence (in Kankakee County, Illinois) for downtown street scenes. A more obscure site, Saunemin Tap in Livingston County, was also mentioned as a location used in this season. Filming wrapped sometime in spring 2025.
📍Chicago, Illinois
Chicago served as a primary production base, especially from February 2025 onwards. Scenes set in small towns or interiors may have been shot at sound stages or in nearby locales around Chicago to simulate rural Wisconsin.
Chicago, Illinois, is a city built on the grit and determination of its people, standing proudly with ‘big shoulders’ along the beautiful curve of Lake Michigan. From the passionate roar of a stadium crowd to the quiet wisdom shared over a slice of deep-dish pizza, the energy here is raw, ambitious, and deeply human. It’s a tapestry woven from countless neighborhoods, where stunning modern architecture rises above streets alive with the sounds of world-changing music—a true heartland metropolis that constantly reinvents itself.
📍Los Angeles, California
Early filming was done in Los Angeles. This is likely where interior sets, certain controlled scenes, or background sequences were shot.
Los Angeles is a sprawling mosaic where dreams meet the Pacific breeze. It’s a city of contrasts, where the sparkle of Hollywood’s glamour coexists with the quiet determination of countless people chasing their next big idea or simply enjoying the sunshine. From the vibrant street art of downtown to the cool, creative energy flowing through its many diverse neighborhoods, LA has a palpable, hopeful hum that welcomes and shapes those who call it home.
📍Momence, Kankakee County, Illinois
The cityscape of Momence (in Kankakee County) was used for downtown or street exteriors. Local news reported that Netflix’s Monster used the historic downtown Momence for filming early 2025. Additionally, reports mention Kankakee County as a filming area.
Momence, a quaint gem in Kankakee County, Illinois, feels like a warm hug from the past. Its heart beats along the peaceful Kankakee River, where local festivals and the historic architecture whisper stories of tight-knit community life. It’s a small town that still values neighbors and the simple, enduring charm of Midwestern living.
📍Saunemin Tap, Livingston County, Illinois
Address: 60 North St, Saunemin, IL 61769
Another less-publicized location is Saunemin Tap in Livingston County, said to be chosen for the third season’s filming. This might have been used to represent rural or farm settings given its isolation.
Amidst the quiet fields of Livingston County, Illinois, lies the little-known Saunemin Tap, a true local institution. This unpretentious tavern serves not just drinks and food, but also as a warm community heart, where neighbors gather to share stories and a moment of genuine connection. It’s a place where the simple, genuine spirit of rural Illinois is felt in every friendly face and shared laugh.
MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story Behind the Scenes
To make your search for Netflix’s MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story filming even more interesting and enjoyable, we shared a behind-the-scenes photo here.
The series stars and fans also shared some behind-the-scenes glimpses on their social media account, Instagram:-
- The Monster anthology often blends historical settings with dramatic stylization. The showrunners emphasized wanting authenticity, saying they wanted to “get as close as possible to who Ed was.”
- Charlie Hunnam reportedly lost weight to match Ed Gein’s physicality.
- The season also weaves in cinematic references—characters such as Alfred Hitchcock and Anthony Perkins appear—so portions of filming may replicate film sets or styles from classic horror films.
Is There a Trailer Available for MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story?
Yes — Netflix released a teaser trailer for MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story ahead of its October 2025 premiere. The trailer teases a dark, immersive tone and features key cast members in atmospheric sequences.
FAQs
Q1: Where was MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story filmed?
A1: The season was filmed in multiple places in the U.S., especially Chicago (Illinois) and Los Angeles (California), along with location shoots in Momence (Kankakee County, IL) and Saunemin Tap (Livingston County, IL).
Q2: What scenes would likely have been filmed in those places?
A2: The downtown streets and exteriors likely used Momence; rural farm or isolated settings may have used Saunemin Tap; interiors or more controlled sets were possibly done in Los Angeles or studio locations around Chicago.
Q3: When did MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story filming take place?
A3: Filming began in late 2024 (around October/November) and continued into early 2025. Chicago filming began by February 10, 2025.
Q4: When will MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story premiere?
A4: The series is scheduled to release on October 3, 2025 on Netflix.
Q5: Was Fremont Place used in MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story?
A5: Yes, Fremont Place in Los Angeles was used in the anthology series. While it appeared more prominently in Season 2, MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story continues the franchise tradition of using authentic real-life locations.
Q6: Which Los Angeles landmark featured as a courthouse in MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story?
A6: The Wilshire Colonnade Building (3731 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles) was filmed for courthouse exteriors in the series’ earlier season. MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story also builds on this style of location-based realism.
Q7: Did Beverly Hills, California appear in MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story?
A7: Yes, parts of Beverly Hills, California were used during filming. This adds a layer of contrast to the darker narrative of MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story.
Q8: When exactly was MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story filmed?
A8: Filming for MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story ran from October 25, 2024, to March 31, 2025, across both Los Angeles and Chicago.
Q9: Where were Season 1 and 2 of the Monster anthology filmed before MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story?
A9: Season 1 filmed between March–July 2021, while Season 2 was filmed from March–July 2024, mostly in Los Angeles and California sites, setting up the groundwork for MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story in Season 3.
Q10: How important was Chicago for MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story?
A10: Chicago became the central filming hub for MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story in early 2025, providing the Midwest authenticity necessary for Ed Gein’s rural Wisconsin-based story.
Q11: Did MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story use real Midwestern towns?
A11: Yes, beyond Chicago, the production team also looked to smaller Illinois towns like Momence and Livingston County to bring the authentic Midwest feel to MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story.
Q12: Were controlled soundstage sets also used for MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story?
A12: Yes, much like earlier seasons, MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story filmed controlled interiors on soundstages in Los Angeles to recreate key rooms and dark farmhouse settings.
Q13: Why did MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story film across both California and Illinois?
A13: The split was intentional: California offered accessibility to studios and iconic exteriors, while Illinois delivered the authentic Midwestern setting that MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story demanded.
Q14: When will audiences see the locations on screen in MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story?
A14: Viewers can see these locations when MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story premieres globally on Netflix, October 3, 2025.