Darkness looms once again as Ryan Murphy's chilling Netflix anthology series Monster sets for return with a fresh take that promises to haunt long after the credits roll. The forthcoming endeavor is poised to embrace the shadows of yet another real-world criminal, unearthing secrets, obsessions, and fears that blur the line between victim and villain. As the streaming world gears up for another spine-tingling chapter from Murphy, the creative hints that his new work delves into something more layered and resonating.

With Monster 3, Ryan Murphy shifts the spotlight to a new kind of fear: the complexities of mental health.

Ryan Murphy appeared on the This is Gavin Newsom podcast recently, where he reflected on the success of the first two seasons of Monster and also shared intriguing details about season 3 of the series, set to arrive later this year. Speaking about the upcoming installment, which stars Charlie Hunnam as Ed Gein, a notorious American killer who was diagnosed with schizophrenia only after it was too late, Murphy said the new story will explore “mental health and awareness.” Notably, the first season of Monster examined the idea of the guy next door being a devil, and the second focused on the why behind a crime rather than the who.  

About Monster 3, Ryan Murphy further said he was not in the mood for blood and gore this time, but rather was more interested in exploring the emotional dimension of the story. Murphy notably appeared excited about viewers getting to examine the “What was it? Was he made or born that way?” aspect of Ed Gein’s account. The unsettling offering is set to arrive right on time for Halloween.

15 Shows Like 'Dexter' That Will Feed Your Obsession With Crime Thrillers

Whispers grow louder, and the countdown begins. When does Monster strike again?

According to What’s on Netflix, Ryan Murphy revealed in the aforementioned podcast that Monster 3 will greet viewers in October 2025. There could be no more fitting release frame for the endeavor, as October marks the start of the holiday season and especially the Halloween celebrations, thus putting viewers in the mood for spooky content. Clearly, Netflix thought the decision through.

Meanwhile, Monster 3 will not be the first time Ed Gein’s story takes screen space. Also known as the Butcher of Plainfield, the infamous criminal’s fable has inspired many films and TV shows over the years, including Psycho, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and The Silence. Monster 3, however, is going to be the first big offset to focus on the human side of Gein’s story.

'Trainwreck: P.I. Moms' on Netflix: Here’s The Wild True-Crime Tale Behind a Fake Show

What do you think about Ryan Murphy exploring the mental health theme with Monster 3? Let us know in the comments.