Could Ed Gein, the infamous 'Butcher of Plainfield,' have had a romantic partner? It’s a question that’s both chilling and fascinating, especially with the release of Monster: The Ed Gein Story on Netflix. But here’s where it gets controversial: the show introduces Adeline Watkins, a character portrayed by Suzanna Son, who is depicted as Gein’s love interest before his arrest in 1957. While the series is labeled as historical fiction, the line between fact and creative license blurs when it comes to Watkins. So, was she a real person, or just a dramatic addition to the story? Let’s dive in.
In Monster, produced by Ryan Murphy and written by Ian Brennan, Charlie Hunnam takes on the daunting role of Ed Gein, the man notorious for skinning his victims and repurposing their remains into household items. The star-studded cast also includes Laurie Metcalf as Augusta Gein, Tom Hollander as Alfred Hitchcock, and Vicky Krieps as Ilse Noch. Spoiler alert: the show’s portrayal of Adeline Watkins has sparked curiosity about her real-life existence.
And this is the part most people miss: Adeline Watkins was a real person. In the late 1950s, just days after Gein’s arrest, Watkins came forward claiming a 20-year relationship with him. In an interview published by the Minneapolis Tribune and later shared by the Wisconsin State Journal in November 1957, Watkins described Gein as ‘good and kind and sweet,’ even admitting she once considered marrying him. She also mentioned that Gein wasn’t a drinker, preferring milkshakes instead—a detail mirrored in the show’s first episode, where Gein and Watkins share a shake at a local store. Watkins claimed their relationship ended in 1955 when she rejected his marriage proposal, not because of anything he did, but because she felt inadequate.
Here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Watkins’ mother corroborated her daughter’s story, describing Gein as a ‘sweet, polite man’ who always had Adeline home by 10 p.m. Watkins even revealed that she and Gein would discuss murders, with him dissecting killers’ mistakes. But here’s the twist: Watkins later retracted her statements, claiming their relationship was exaggerated. In a follow-up interview with the Stevens Point Journal, she admitted to a brief friendship with Gein but denied any romantic involvement, stating their connection had been ‘blown out of proportion.’ She also clarified that neither she nor her mother would describe him as ‘sweet.’
So, what’s the truth? Was Adeline Watkins a heartbroken lover, a casual friend, or just someone caught up in the media frenzy surrounding Gein’s crimes? The real Adeline Watkins distanced herself from the narrative after her initial statements, leaving us with more questions than answers. But here’s the real question: Does it matter if Watkins’ story was exaggerated or even fabricated? After all, Gein’s crimes were horrifying enough without adding a romantic subplot. Or does her story humanize him in a way that’s both unsettling and thought-provoking?
Monster: The Ed Gein Story is now streaming on Netflix, leaving audiences to ponder the blurred lines between fact and fiction. What do you think? Was Adeline Watkins a genuine part of Gein’s life, or just a dramatic device? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark differing opinions.
