Netflix’s ‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story’ — the fourth installment in Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s anthology series, examines one of the most infamous unsolved crimes in American history. The series centers on Lizzie Borden, a Massachusetts heiress accused but acquitted of the 1892 axe murders of her father and stepmother, while the case remains a subject of fascination and controversy, with the true circumstances of the crime still debated today.

Reframing the Case Through Female Psychology

According to Radio Times, the series reframes the crime as a story of female repression and rage, exploring the psychological dimensions of Lizzie Borden’s life. Ella Beatty, who portrays Borden, described the character as “an icon who refuses to live imprisoned in a cage, choosing instead to forge her own legend: shocking, monstrous, and gloriously free.” Beatty noted that the role was a “dream come true” to explore such a “complicated person’s psychology.”

filmpluskritik.com reports that the series takes a ficitonlized approach to the case, focusing not only on the crime itself but also on the broader societal and emotional factors at play. The show examines Borden’s repressed desires and the power dynamics within her family, particularly her relationship with the new maid, Maggie.

Key Cast Members and Characters

The series features an ensemble cast with notable names from previous ‘Monster’ seasons — According to Radio Times, the full cast includes:

  • Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden
  • Rebecca Hall as Abby Borden
  • Vicky Krieps as Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan
  • Charlie Hunnam as Andrew Borden
  • Billie Lourd as Emma Borden
  • Jessica Barden as Nance O’Neil
  • Joey Pollari as John Morse
  • Oliver Spenceman as Stephen

Espinof notes that the fourth season of ‘Monster’ is the first in the anthology to focus on a female killer, with Lizzie Borden as its central figure. The show’s creators, Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, previously explored the crimes of Jeffrey Dahmer, the Menendez brothers, and Ed Gein in earlier seasons.

Historical Context and Legal Outcome

On August 4, 1892, Lizzie Borden’s father and stepmother were found dead in their Massachusetts home, both victims of axe attacks, and According to SensaCine, Borden quickly became the prime suspect, particularly after burning a dress a few days later. She was formally charged in December 1892, but due to inconclusive evidence and testimonies, was acquitted in 1893, and the case remains unresolved, with no definitive answers to this day.

filmpluskritik.com adds that the series explores the mystery and ambiguity of the case, drawing from historical records while fictionalizing the psychological and emotional tensions that may have led to the murders. The series is described as a “mysterious case as fascinating as it is enigmatic.”

The fourth season of ‘Monster’ is set to debut on September 17, 2026, according to filmpluskritik.com, and is expected to generate renewed interest in the Borden case, much like previous seasons have done for other infamous killers.