Fans of Disney’s cult classic Hocus Pocus are buzzing with surprise as actor Tobias Jelinek, famously known as Jay, one of the iconic bullies, undergoes a dramatic and unsettling transformation to portray convicted mass murderer Richard Speck in Netflix’s true crime series Monster: The Ed Gein Story. Jelinek details his immersive method, including wearing high heels in a real prison, to embody a character he starkly labels ‘the antichrist’.
For many, the name Tobias Jelinek instantly conjures images of the mischievous, leather-clad bully Jay from the beloved 1993 Halloween film Hocus Pocus. His role in the family-friendly Disney classic cemented him in the memories of a generation. However, Jelinek has recently unveiled a darker, profoundly disturbing side to his acting prowess, taking on the role of convicted mass murderer Richard Speck in the highly anticipated Netflix true crime series, Monster: The Ed Gein Story.
This stark contrast between Jelinek’s past and present roles has sent ripples through both the classic film fan community and true crime enthusiasts, highlighting his incredible versatility and willingness to delve into the most challenging of characters. His portrayal of Speck, a man responsible for one of America’s most horrifying mass murders, is not just a physical transformation but a deep dive into the psyche of evil.
Understanding the Real Richard Speck
Before exploring Jelinek’s portrayal, it’s essential to understand the monstrous figure he embodies. Richard Speck was a convicted killer who brutally murdered eight student nurses in Chicago on July 13, 1966. His crimes captivated and horrified the nation, leading to a massive manhunt and his eventual capture two days later. Speck was sentenced to death, a sentence later commuted to 50 to 100 years in prison after capital punishment was abolished in the U.S. in 1972.
Speck’s life was marked by a history of violence and delinquency from a young age, including petty crime, theft, and assault. While in prison, a 1996 video, released posthumously, showed Speck confessing to the murders, taking drugs, and engaging in sex with another inmate. Notably, the video also revealed Speck wearing women’s underwear and having developed breasts, reportedly due to hormone treatments he underwent during his incarceration. He died of a heart attack in 1991, just one day before his 50th birthday.
Creative Liberties in ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story’
The Netflix series Monster: The Ed Gein Story introduces a fictionalized element by suggesting a correspondence between Richard Speck and Ed Gein, with Speck reportedly viewing Gein as a “friend” and “role model.” While this creative choice helps illustrate Gein’s lasting, albeit dark, legacy in popular culture and horror, there is no direct evidence to suggest the two real-life killers ever communicated or that Gein’s crimes influenced Speck, as noted by Entertainment Weekly. Showrunners Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan utilized this narrative device to explore the broader impact of infamous figures on the criminal psyche.
Tobias Jelinek’s Unsettling Immersion as Speck
Jelinek’s commitment to the role of Richard Speck goes far beyond mere performance. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actor described his deep dive into the character, utilizing physical effects and his imagination to channel Speck’s disturbing essence. The scenes featuring Speck were filmed on location at the Stateville Correctional Center in Illinois, the very prison where the real Speck spent years incarcerated.
One particularly memorable and challenging aspect of his portrayal involved embodying Speck’s later prison persona, which included wearing women’s attire. Jelinek recounted the difficulty, yet the revelatory nature, of filming a scene in high heels:
- “Being in that prison and putting on those heels, it was phenomenal!”
- “I was in there, you have all of the inmates, they open the door, and they’re all cat-calling.”
- “It was on grated metal, and I’m trying to walk in these stilettos. It was quite a feat!”
Jelinek profoundly characterized Speck as “a very troubling, complex character” and even went so far as to call him “the antichrist,” emphasizing the lack of redemption in his narrative within the show. He contrasts this with the series’ exploration of Ed Gein, where audiences are prompted to consider the complexities of mental health and the origins of darkness, a sentiment echoed by co-star Charlie Hunnam, who plays Gein. Hunnam told The Hollywood Reporter that the show offers “a very sincere exploration of the human condition and why this boy did what he did.”
The Impact on Audiences and Jelinek’s Versatility
Jelinek’s performance as Richard Speck not only showcases an astonishing range but also opens up conversations among fans about actor versatility and the ethical considerations of portraying real-life monsters. Seeing an actor known for a lighthearted, nostalgic role delve into such profound darkness is a testament to his craft and a bold choice that has undoubtedly garnered significant attention.
The contrast serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of acting and the often-unseen depths actors explore. For fans of Hocus Pocus, this unexpected turn by Jelinek offers a new perspective on his talent, proving that his career trajectory is far from predictable. While Monster: The Ed Gein Story is now available for streaming on Netflix, fans can still enjoy Jelinek’s earlier, lighter work in Hocus Pocus, which continues to stream on Disney+.
