The fourth season of Netflix’s series Monster centers on the life of Lizzie Borden (1860–1927) and the infamous 1892 axe murders in Fall River, Massachusetts. Back then, a brutal double murder within a wealthy family shook the town. In Monster: The Story of Lizzie Borden, viewers on Netflix can follow, in eight episodes, what allegedly happened at the time, as TheColu.mn reported.
That the “Monster” creators Ryan Murphy (60) and Ian Brennan (48) would tackle Lizzie Borden in the new episodes of their anthology series is no surprise. Their names are inextricably linked to one of the most infamous unsolved murder cases in American history. The case has even been immortalized in the United States in a popular jump-rope rhyme and song.
Lizzie Borden was accused of murdering her father Andrew and her stepmother Abby at the family home in Fall River on August 4, 1892. The case drew nationwide attention at the time. Lizzie was arrested, tried, and ultimately acquitted in 1893. Since no one else was convicted, the murders remain officially unsolved to this day.
Wild theories after the murders
Over the years, numerous theories have circulated, none of which have been proven: from a possible mental breakdown in which Lizzie might have committed the murders, to claims that her father abused her and was therefore killed by her. Others speculated about a relationship between Lizzie and the housekeeper Bridget Sullivan, who supposedly helped cover up the murders. Aside from Lizzie, other members of the household were also publicly suspected, though officially there were no other suspects.
There is no definitive historical evidence about Borden’s sexual orientation. Yet she has often been interpreted as lesbian. After her acquittal, she maintained a close, long-running relationship with actress Nance O’Neil, which more and more historians interpret as a romantic relationship.
Netflix now presents its own take on the events. In previews for the new Monster season, it was described as: “When the oppressed daughter of a wealthy New England family and her rebellious maid become trapped in a house built on humiliation and cruelty, they escape into a fantasy world of sex, power, and revenge. The ensuing brutal, unsolved murders shock not only the world — they forge an icon who refuses to live in a cage, instead creating her own legend: shocking, monstrous, and gloriously free.”
These stars are in Monster: The Story of Lizzie Borden
Ella Beatty (26) takes on the lead role of Lizzie Borden in the new Monster season. By her side is Charlie Hunnam (46), who already portrayed the killer Ed Gein in season three, as Andrew Borden. Also appearing are Rebecca Hall (44) as Abby Borden, Billie Lourd (34) as Lizzie’s sister Emma Borden, and Luxembourg-German actress Vicky Krieps (42) as Bridget Sullivan — the Borden family’s housemaid.
Additionally, Sarah Paulson (51) appears as serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Her role links Lizzie Borden’s story to another infamous figure in true-crime history. Wuornos, who plied prostitution along Florida’s highways, killed seven men between 1989 and 1990.
The connection Ryan Murphy has with the case
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Murphy offered a glimpse of the fourth season and spoke about the controversies surrounding the series: “I find the show very interesting because you know: whatever you do, it will spark controversy. That’s just how it is. I’m not trying to glorify these figures; with the Monster franchise, it all comes down to one question: are monsters made or born?”
Murphy said he has a “deep connection” to the famous case. “When I was in kindergarten, I took first place at a choir competition because I sang the children’s song about Lizzie Borden — if you can believe that. That was the first time I ever won anything,” he said. “So I grew up with that little song. I come from the Midwest. I thought everyone knew that children’s song, but that wasn’t the case.”
Darum geht es in den drei Vorgängerstaffeln
The fourth season of Monster continues the pattern of the first three seasons, each centered on a different killer: in the first season, Evan Peters (39) played Jeffrey Dahmer. The second season focused on the Menendez brothers, with Cooper Koch (30) as Erik Menendez and Nicholas Alexander Chavez (27) as Lyle Menendez. In the third season, Hunnam portrayed Ed Gein.
The Lizzie Borden case has already been retold in several films, including the TV movie “Lizzie Borden’s Bloody Secret” (1975) with Elizabeth Montgomery (1933–1995) in the lead role, the Lifetime film “Lizzie Borden Took an Ax” (2014) with Christina Ricci (46) as Lizzie Borden, and “Lizzie Borden – Murder from Desperation” (2018) with Chloë Sevigny (51) in the role of Lizzie and Kristen Stewart (36) as Bridget Sullivan.
