Netflix’s popular true-crime anthology Monster, co-created by Ian Brennan and Ryan Murphy, continues to evolve with its fourth season, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, which centers on the infamous 1892 axe murders in Fall River, Massachusetts. This season marks the first time the series features a female lead in the role of a serial killer, a role played by Ella Beatty. The series, which began streaming on September 17, 2024, and consists of eight episodes, tells the story of Lizzie Borden, who was famously tried but acquitted for the firm killings of her father and stepmother. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Brennan described the process of selecting a subject as challenging, and the decision to focus on Lizzie Borden was suggested by Ryan Murphy, who had long wanted to tell her story.

The Cast and Characters

Charlie Hunnam, who previously portrayed Ed Gein in season three, reprises his role as Lizzie’s father, Andrew Borden; Rebecca Hall plays Lizzie’s stepmother, Abby Borden, while Vicky Krieps takes on the role of the family’s housekeeper, Bridget (also known as Maggie). Supporting the main cast are Billie Lourd, Joey Pollari, Sarah Paulson, and Jessica Barden. Quotenmeter notes that the cast and storyline focus on the repressed dynamics within a wealthy New England family and the rebellious housekeeper, who together live in a household marked by humiliation and cruelty.

Themes and Relevance

Brennan and Murphy’s creative team aim to explore themes of female anger and repression, which Ella Beatty highlights as surprisingly relevant to today’s audience. According to Filmstarts, the murders of Lizzie’s father and stepmother in 1892 led to her immediate suspicion by investigators, particularly after she burned a dress a few days after the incident. Although Lizzie was charged in December 1892, the case lacked conclusive evidence, and she was acquitted in 1893; the trial and subsequent verdicts sparked widespread public interest and left the actual circumstances of the murders shrouded in mystery to this day.

Future Plans for the Series

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Brennan has already outlined a 10-season plan for Monster, suggesting that the franchise will continue to explore the lives and crimes of infamous serial killers. The decision to pivot from a more recent case—such as the 2024 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson,highlighted the challenges of adapting newer, less well-documented cases. Brennan emphasized that the core of the series lies in the selection of its subject, with Lizzie Borden representing a major and historic figure. The show’s ability to adapt and reinterpret the past continues to captivate audiences, with this season marking a significant milestone by featuring a female-led narrative for the first time.