Netflix has added the fourth chapter of its Monster anthology to its catalogue, and the entire eight-episode run is available worldwide right now. Titled Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story the series re-imagines the 1892 axe murders that made the Massachusetts resident a household name. The show marks a milestone for the franchise: it is the first season to centre on a woman as the titular “monster,” and it brings a fresh, gender-focused perspective to a narrative that has long been shrouded in folklore.
Historically, Lizzie Borden was tried and acquitted for the killings of her father Andrew and stepmother Abby in August 1892, a case that still fuels debate more than a century later. The new Netflix version transports viewers to a dimly lit Fall River home, where a repressive Victorian household pushes a timid young woman to the edge. The anthology series format lets the creators blend fact, speculation, and stylized drama, presenting a world where oppression and desire collide in bloody fashion.
The show in detail
Premiering on September 17, 2026, the season dropped as a full collection, letting binge-watchers dive straight into Lizzie’s unraveling psyche. Set against the backdrop of late-19th-century New England, the narrative follows Lizzie (portrayed by Ella Beatty) as she endures a tyrannical stepmother, a detached father, and the suffocating expectations of her social class. Beatty’s performance oscillates between fragile innocence and simmering rage, embodying a character who feels both victim and architect of her own legend.
Joining Beatty is a robust ensemble: Vicky Krieps plays Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan, the live-in maid whose worldly attitudes and herbal knowledge become Lizzie’s gateway to rebellion; Charlie Hunnam returns as Andrew Borden, the aloof patriarch; Rebecca Hall appears as Abby Borden, the cruel stepmother; Billie Lourd fills the role of Emma, Lizzie’s older sister; and Sarah Paulson makes a cameo as infamous serial killer Aileen Wuornos, linking Lizzie’s story to a broader tapestry of female violence. The cast also features Jessica Barden, Sarah Paulson, and others, each adding texture to the twisted family drama.
Creative vision and thematic focus
Co-creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan have described the season as an exploration of “female rage and repression.” In interviews, Beatty reflected on the responsibility of becoming the franchise’s inaugural female monster, noting that the role allowed her to probe why women might become killers—whether they are “born” or “made” by circumstance. The series leans heavily into gothic motifs, using ornate set pieces, crimson curtains, and an ever-present axe to symbolize both oppression and agency.
Beyond Lizzie’s personal story, the show weaves in historical references that underline persistent misogyny. Bridget reads Lizzie the legend of Countess Elizabeth Báthory the 16th-century Hungarian noblewoman famed for bathing in virgins’ blood, a tale that mirrors the period’s obsession with women’s beauty and power. The inclusion of Aileen Wuornos, portrayed by Paulson, further amplifies the conversation, juxtaposing a 20th-century serial killer with an 19th-century suspect to suggest a lineage of women pushed beyond societal limits.
Critical response and audience expectations
Early screenings have highlighted the season’s “playful yet violent” tone. The opening episode opens on a ruby-red curtain and a barefoot Lizzie descending a grand staircase, immediately establishing a cinematic aesthetic that feels both period-accurate and hyper-stylized. Critics note that while the series takes liberties with historical facts—particularly the romanticized relationship between Lizzie and Bridget—it succeeds in reframing the myth as a commentary on gendered violence.
The Monster franchise has consistently drawn massive viewership; the Jeffrey Dahmer season amassed one billion hours in its first 60 days, while the Ed Gein installment topped charts in 11 countries. Although final numbers for the Lizzie Borden chapter are still emerging, the built-in fan base and the series’ fresh focus on a female perpetrator suggest strong streaming performance. Viewers can anticipate a blend of horror, drama, and dark humor, all anchored by Beatty’s compelling central performance.
In sum, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story delivers a visually striking, thematically daring retelling of a notorious American crime. By centering a woman’s descent into infamy, the show expands the anthology’s scope and invites audiences to reconsider the fine line between victimhood and monstrosity.
