The main similarity is the inspiration from Ed Gein's real - life crimes. His abnormal and immoral actions provided the basis for the movie's horror. But there are many differences. The movie created a more elaborate and extreme story. It added characters like the chainsaw - maniac family. In real life, Gein was more of a solitary figure. Also, the movie's setting and some of the events are fictionalized to fit the horror genre. The real - life events were much more subdued in terms of the kind of action and the number of people involved.
One similarity is the use of human remains in disturbing ways, like in the case of Ed Gein which inspired the movie. However, in the movie, the violence and gore are often amped up for horror effect. The real - life events were tragic and disturbing on their own, but the movie added more extreme elements. For example, the chainsaw - using killers in the movie are more of a fictional creation compared to the real - life Gein who didn't use a chainsaw in his crimes.
Similarities include the general theme of a deranged individual or group causing harm. Ed Gein's actions of desecrating graves and using body parts were translated into the movie's dark themes. Differences are quite significant. The movie is set in a fictionalized world with more action - packed and over - the - top scenes. The real - life events were more about a lone individual's abnormal psychology. The movie also added elements like the chainsaw - using killers to make it more of a horror spectacle, which was not part of the real - life case.