If you’ve worked your way through Netflix’s Monster anthology, you’ll know that its retellings of notorious American murder cases are nothing short of terrifying. Now, the streaming service is kickstarting spooky season with what promises to be its creepiest series yet – Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story.
The latest chapter, which has its first female protagonist, transports us back to 1892, where we meet Lizzie Borden (Ella Beatty), who became infamous after she was accused of killing both of her parents with an axe. But the murders remain unsolved more than 130 years later – and the divisive case continues to fascinate and perplex anyone who learns about it today. The series will delve into who Lizzie was and how she challenged perceptions of what a killer could look like…
Intrigued? With the series available to watch this autumn, here’s everything you need to know about Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story about?
The upcoming series is the fourth instalment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s hit anthology series, which brings to life famous American murder mystery cases. The story follows Lizzie Borden (Ella Beatty), the repressed daughter of a wealthy New England family who was notoriously accused of killing her father and stepmother with an axe in 1892.
Following on from the Monster series’ previous chapters, which have fictionalised the cases of Jeffrey Dahmer, Erik and Lyle Menendez and Ed Gein, the new series introduces the first female protagonist. Lizzie has long captured the public’s fascination, inspiring a morbid nursery rhyme, literary productions and dramas.
This fictionalised account focuses on Lizzie’s entrapment in a house built on humiliation and cruelty, which leads her to escape through sex, power and revenge with Bridget Sullivan (Vicky Krieps), the family’s rebellious maid. Ella Beatty, who’s taking on the complex role of Lizzie, opened up about stepping into the shoes of this highly debated figure.
‘I am so excited for viewers to experience our exploration of Lizzie Borden’s story and the questions that her life animates to this day,’ Beatty told Netflix. ‘It has been a dream come true to investigate this complicated person’s psychology and to examine an American crime that feels almost mythic in proportion. This season gives us our first female Monster and delves into female rage and repression, which I’ve found to feel strikingly relevant. I cannot wait to share it with the world.’
Who’s in the cast of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story?
The cast of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story includes:
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Ella Beatty (Feud: Capote vs The Swans, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You) as Lizzie Borden
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Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread, Monster: The Ed Gein Story) as Bridget Sullivan, the Bordens’ live-in maid
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Charlie Hunnam (Monster: The Ed Gein Story, Sons Of Anarchy) as Andrew Borden, Lizzie’s father
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Rebecca Hall (Christine, Vicky Cristina Barcelona) as Abby Borden, Lizzie’s stepmother
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Billie Lourd (American Horror Story, The Last Showgirl) as Emma, Lizzie’s older sister
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Jessica Barden (The End Of The F***ing World, Dune: Prophecy) as Nance O’Neil, an actor friend of Lizzie’s
Is there a trailer for Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story?
Yes – you can watch the full trailer for of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story below.
How can I watch of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story?
With production currently underway, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is arriving on Netflix on Thursday 17September. Meanwhile, you can catch up on the other three chapters — The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, The Erik And Lyle Menendez Story and The Ed Gein Story now on Netflix.
What other crime dramas can I watch now?
For another chilling crime drama inspired by real-life events, we’d suggestThe Vanishing Triangle, which tells the story of journalist Lisa Wallace (India Mullen) who writes an article about her mother’s unsolved murder. After the story is published, the killer strikes again – leading to an intense game of cat-and-mouse. But will she be able to catch him before it’s too late? You can watch The Vanishing Triangle now on Acorn TV via Prime Video. For a dark police saga, we’d suggest the six-part detective series River, which follows Detective Inspector John River (Stellan Skarsgård), who’s investigating the murder of his close colleague, Detective Sergeant Jackie ‘Stevie’ Stevenson (Nicola Walker). But River continues to speak to Stevie after her death through ghostly apparitions, along with other figures connected to his cases… You can watch River now on ITVX.
