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‘Monster’ Unveils Chilling Lizzie Borden Look + Release Date
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story – Everything You Need to Know About Netflix’s New True-Crime Drama
Big News Alert! Netflix just dropped the first look and release date for the next chapter in Ryan Murphy’s hit Monster anthology series. Mark your calendars!
What Is Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story?
Think of the Monster series like a true-crime storybook—each season tells a different famous (or infamous) real-life case. This time, the show tackles Lizzie Borden, a young woman from the 1890s who was accused of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe. The case became a massive media sensation and remains one of America’s most famous unsolved mysteries.
This season is special because: It’s the first time the series focuses on a female “monster.”
When Can You Watch It?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Release Date | September 17 |
| Platform | Netflix (all episodes drop at once) |
| Series | Monster Anthology (Season 4) |
Pro Tip: Since it’s a Netflix original, you’ll need a Netflix subscription to stream it.
Meet the Cast – Who’s Playing Whom?
The show features a star-studded ensemble. Here’s the main lineup:
Lead Roles
- Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden – The repressed daughter at the center of the storm.
- Vicky Krieps as Bridget Sullivan – The family’s rebellious maid (called Maggie in the show).
- Rebecca Hall as Abby Borden – Lizzie’s stepmother.
- Charlie Hunnam as Andrew Borden – Lizzie’s wealthy, strict father.
Supporting Cast
- Billie Lourd
- Joey Pollari
- Sarah Paulson (a Ryan Murphy regular!)
- Jessica Barden
- Oliver Spenceman as Stephen (a character created for the series)
First Look Photos: Netflix released several sneak-peek images showing a blood-covered Lizzie (Beatty), plus the rest of the cast in period costume. You can also check out a side-by-side gallery comparing the actors to the real historical figures.
What’s the Story About? (Official Logline Made Simple)
“When the repressed daughter of a wealthy New England family and her rebellious maid find themselves trapped in a house built on humiliation and cruelty, they escape into a fantasy of sex, power, and revenge. The gruesome unsolved murders that follow don’t just shock the world—they give birth to an icon who refuses to live imprisoned in a cage, choosing instead to forge her own legend: shocking, monstrous, and gloriously free.”
In Plain English:
- Lizzie and the maid Bridget are stuck in a miserable, controlling household.
- They bond and dream of a better life—full of freedom, passion, and payback.
- Then, horrific murders happen (the real-life axe killings).
- The case becomes a national obsession.
- Lizzie becomes a legend—not just a suspect, but a symbol of breaking free.
Behind the Scenes – Who Made This?
| Role | Name(s) |
|---|---|
| Creators & Writers | Ian Brennan (co-creator of Glee, The Politician) |
| Executive Producers | Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, Max Winkler, Eric Kovtun, Scott Robertson, Louise Shore, Nissa Diederich, Todd Kubrak, Carl Franklin, Tanase Popa |
| Directors | Max Winkler & Sarah Adina Smith |
Ryan Murphy’s Touch: If you’ve seen American Horror Story, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, or The Watcher, you know Murphy’s style—glossy, dramatic, and obsessed with the dark side of fame.
Real History vs. TV Drama – What’s True?
| Real Life (1892) | The Show’s Take |
|---|---|
| Lizzie Borden was tried and acquitted of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe. | Explores the psychology behind the myth—what drove her? |
| The case was a media circus—newspapers went wild. | Shows how the public created a “monster” icon. |
| No one was ever convicted; the murders remain officially unsolved. | Blends fact with fantasy (the “sex, power, revenge” angle). |
| Previous adaptations: The Lizzie Borden Chronicles (Lifetime, 2015, Christina Ricci) and Lizzie (2018 film, Chloë Sevigny & Kristen Stewart). | First major prestige streaming series on the case. |
First Look Gallery – What We’ve Seen So Far
Netflix shared four official images:
- Ella Beatty as Lizzie – Intense, blood-splattered, staring down the camera.
- Charlie Hunnam & Oliver Spenceman – As Andrew Borden and Stephen, tense family dinner vibes.
- Rebecca Hall as Abby Borden – Stern, proper, the stepmother from hell.
- Vicky Krieps as Bridget/Maggie Sullivan – Gritty, grounded, the maid with secrets.
Want more? Check out the full character-vs-real-person gallery here.
Quick Summary – TL;DR
- Show: Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story (Season 4 of Monster anthology)
- Stars: Ella Beatty, Vicky Krieps, Rebecca Hall, Charlie Hunnam + Billie Lourd, Sarah Paulson, Jessica Barden
- Premiere: September 17 on Netflix
- Plot: Repressed rich girl + rebellious maid + axe murders = legendary true-crime saga
- Creators: Ryan Murphy & Ian Brennan (the Glee/AHS power duo)
- Vibe: Psychological thriller meets period drama meets feminist revenge fantasy
- History: Based on the real 1892 Fall River, Massachusetts axe murders—still unsolved today
FAQ – Your Burning Questions Answered
1. Do I need to watch previous Monster seasons first?
Nope! Each season is a standalone story. You can jump in here without seeing Dahmer or The Menendez Brothers.
2. Is this a documentary or a drama?
It’s a scripted drama. Think The Crown meets Mindhunter—real events, but with creative dialogue, imagined scenes, and artistic license.
3. Why is Lizzie Borden called a ‘monster’ in the title?
The series uses “Monster” as a label society puts on people—not necessarily that she was one. It explores how the media and public turned a young woman into a legend of evil.
4. Will the show solve the mystery?
Almost certainly not. The real case was never solved. The show is more interested in why the story still haunts us than in whodunit.
5. Is it appropriate for kids?
Definitely not. Expect graphic violence, sexual themes, strong language, and intense psychological drama. TV-MA rating all the way.
Final Thought
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story isn’t just another true-crime retread—it’s a feminist reimagining of a woman who was either a cold-blooded killer or a victim of her time (or both). With a powerhouse cast, Ryan Murphy’s signature flair, and a story that’s fascinated America for over 130 years, this is shaping up to be the must-watch prestige series of fall 2025.
Set a reminder for September 17.
Related: Curious about the next Monster season? Check out the first look at Monster: The Ed Gein Story—the killer who inspired Psycho, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Silence of the Lambs.
