‘Lizzie Borden’ is a worldwide ratings monster for Netflix

Dan MedeirosThe Herald News
Sept. 23, 2026, 4:03 a.m. ET

• “Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story” has become the No. 1 show on Netflix globally since its debut.
• The Ryan Murphy series has garnered over 12 million views and has been watched for more than 80 million hours.
• Despite its popularity, the show has received mixed to negative reviews from both critics and audiences.
• The story of Lizzie Borden has been adapted many times, with other versions available on various streaming services.

Less than a week after its debut, “Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story” is chopping down the competition, making it the No. 1 show in the world on Netflix.

The Ryan Murphy production stars Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden, the Fall River spinster accused of giving her stepmother 40 whacks, then giving her father 41. Beatty co-stars alongside Vicky Krieps, playing maid Bridget Sullivan. The two engage in a lesbian love affair and plot the brutal crimes as revenge.

Playing heavily into the story is Florida serial killer Aileen Wuornos, a Lizzie Borden fangirl who pays a (fictional) visit to Fall River.

Is ‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story’ popular?

According to Netflix’s Tudum news site, “Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story” is the No. 1 TV show globally, in the top 10 in 89 countries with more than 12 million views.

The eight-episode show has been viewed for more than 80 million hours.

According to film industry trade publication Variety, its 12.1 million debut week is about equal to the two previous seasons of the “Monster” anthology series.

What are the reviews like for ‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story’?

Though “Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story” is popular with audiences so far, reviews have been mixed to negative.

As of Sept. 22, the show is at 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 19 critics’ reviews. The site’s Popcornmeter, which features audience ratings, is at 37%.

Its Metacritic score is at 47 based on 15 critics’ reviews, indicating a mixed or average rating. As of Sept. 22, Metacritic audiences have rated it 4.2 out of 10.

Critics have pointed out the strained connection between Borden and Wuornos and its lack of nuance, while others have praised its comic tone, acting and visual style.

Where else can you watch the Lizzie Borden story in movies and TV?

The Lizzie Borden story has been adapted many times into plays, novels, musicals, even a ballet.

If “Monster” wasn’t it for you — or if it was and you can’t get enough Lizzie — check out these other recent adaptations.

• “The Legend of Lizzie Borden” (1975) stars Elizabeth Montgomery as Lizzie in a made-for-TV movie that still shocks today. Find it: It’s available for rent or streaming on Amazon, or free on YouTube.
• “Lizzie Borden Took an Ax” (2014) stars Christina Ricci as Fall River’s most infamous resident in a campy, not-at-all factual adaptation of the story. Find it:Rent or stream on Amazon, or Apple TV or YouTube.
• “The Lizzie Borden Chronicles” (2015) continues Ricci’s run as Lizzie in a limited-run TV series, which strays even further from facts but amps up the fun. Find it: Stream the series for free on Tubi.
• “Lizzie” (2018) was a passion project for star Chloe Sevigny, and is a serious and sensitive variation on the story. Find it: Stream it free on Tubi, Kanopy, Prime Video and other services.

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