Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story takes Netflix's crime anthology back to the Victorian age, dramatizing the notorious Lizzie Borden case across eight episodes. Centered on Fall River, Massachusetts, the series depicts Lizzie enduring the strain of life within her affluent family's dysfunctional home before the deaths of her father and stepmother make her the focus of a widely publicized murder investigation. Lizzie is portrayed by Ella Beatty, while Vicky Krieps, Charlie Hunnam and Rebecca Hall make up the main household cast.
This season is not framed as a plain historical documentary. Through fictionalized storytelling, it examines family control, repression, revenge, violence and the cultural obsession with Lizzie Borden. Sarah Paulson's role as Aileen Wuornos widens the season's investigation of female violence and its legacy.
Quick Verdict
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is a solid pick for those who appreciate grim true-crime dramas, historical mysteries and tales rooted in psychology. What sets it apart most is its choice to frame the Borden case as a tale of repression, family authority and feminine fury instead of merely restaging the well-known trial. Those expecting rigorous historical accuracy should treat it as dramatized fiction rather than a documentary.
Where to Watch Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story in the US
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story serves as the fourth chapter in Netflix’s Monster anthology, moving the series to 1890s Massachusetts to explore one of America’s most notorious unsolved murder cases. Ella Beatty takes on the role of Lizzie Borden, the young woman charged with murdering her father, Andrew Borden, and her stepmother, Abby Borden, at their home in Fall River in 1892. Vicky Krieps portrays Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan, the Borden household’s maid, while Charlie Hunnam and Rebecca Hall appear as Andrew and Abby Borden.
Instead of treating the case purely as a courtroom mystery, the series places heavy emphasis on the suffocating Borden household and the bond between Lizzie and Maggie. Netflix characterizes them as two women confined in a home defined by humiliation and cruelty, who come to share a fantasy of sex, power, and revenge. The narrative then builds toward the murders and the sensational trial that ensued.
This eight-episode season also features Sarah Paulson as Aileen Wuornos, tying Lizzie Borden’s story to the wider theme of female violence and cultural legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story based on a true story?
Yes. It is inspired by the real Lizzie Borden case, involving the 1892 deaths of her father Andrew Borden and stepmother Abby Borden. However, the Netflix series dramatizes and fictionalizes aspects of the historical record.
How many episodes does Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story have?
The season has eight episodes, all released on Netflix on September 17, 2026.
Does Sarah Paulson play Lizzie Borden?
No. Ella Beatty plays Lizzie Borden. Sarah Paulson portrays Aileen Wuornos, a later historical figure whose story is incorporated into the season's exploration of female violence and legacy.
Do you need to watch previous seasons of Monster first?
No. Each season of Monster tells a separate story, so viewers can watch The Lizzie Borden Story independently.
Story — Spoiler Free
Taking place in Fall River, Massachusetts during the 1890s, the series centers on Lizzie Borden within a wealthy yet profoundly dysfunctional household. When Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan comes to work as a maid, Lizzie's tense relationship with her family shifts, offering her a new bond and a fresh perspective on her confined existence. Their bond grows amid a backdrop of familial abuse, bitterness, and dreams of liberation and vengeance. The narrative ultimately arrives at the savage killings of Lizzie's father and stepmother, along with the inquiry and trial that transform this private family tragedy into a nationwide obsession.
8.2
TheNextHint Score
8.2 / 10
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is a solid pick for those who appreciate grim true-crime dramas, historical mysteries and tales rooted in psychology. What sets it apart most is its choice to frame the Borden case as a tale of repression, family authority and feminine fury instead of merely restaging the well-known trial. Those expecting rigorous historical accuracy should treat it as dramatized fiction rather than a documentary.
Rating breakdown
Story
8.0
Acting
9.0
Direction
8.0
Visuals
8.0
Sound
8.0
Entertainment
8.0
External Ratings
Scores from other sources, shown in their own scale. These are not TheNextHint's rating.
Strong central performances, atmospheric period production, an intriguing unsolved historical case, eight compact episodes, and a darker psychological approach to the Lizzie Borden story.
Cons
The heavily fictionalized approach may frustrate viewers expecting a historically precise account of the Borden murders.
Who Should Watch
True-Crime Fans
Crime Drama Fans
Historical Drama Fans
Psychological Thriller Fans
Who Should Skip
Historical Accuracy Seekers
Documentary Viewers
Viewers Sensitive to Graphic Violence
Release Date
2026-09-17
Runtime
39–63 minutes per episode
Director
Max Winkler and Sarah Adina Smith
Producer
Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, Eric Kovtun, Scott Robertson, Louise Shore, Nissa Diederich, Todd Kubrak, Carl Franklin and Tanase Popa
Writer
Ian Brennan
Cast
Ella Beatty, Vicky Krieps, Charlie Hunnam, Rebecca Hall, Billie Lourd, Jessica Barden, Joey Pollari, Sarah Paulson.
Music
Bryce Dessner
Studio
Netflix / Ryan Murphy Productions / Prospect Films
The central character and young woman accused of murdering her father and stepmother.
Vicky Krieps
as
Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan
The Borden family's live-in maid who becomes closely connected with Lizzie.
Charlie Hunnam
as
Andrew Borden
Lizzie's father
Rebecca Hall
as
Abby Borden
Lizzie's stepmother
Seasons & Episodes
The Lizzie Borden Story
8 episodes September 17, 2026Airing
In Fall River, Massachusetts, during 1892, Lizzie Borden resides in an affluent home defined by oppression and discord. Her bond with the maid Bridget "Maggie" Sullivan takes center stage in a narrative that shifts from family strife and vengeance to the killings that turn Lizzie into one of America's most infamous historical figures. The season subsequently traces the investigation, the trial, and the enduring cultural legacy of the case.
1Bloodbath
54 min September 17, 2026
Lizzie's troubled home life changes when the provocative new maid Maggie arrives.
2Strong Kitty
53 min September 17, 2026
Lizzie and Maggie grow closer as Abby's cruelty pushes Lizzie toward revenge.
3Whack Job!
48 min September 17, 2026
A returning family member puts pressure on Andrew while Lizzie and Maggie rethink their plans.
4R.I.P (Rest in Pestilence) Abby Borden
43 min September 17, 2026
Abby confronts her own dissatisfaction as Lizzie's anger reaches a dangerous point.
541
39 min September 17, 2026
Andrew's troubled personal life and a night of excess intersect with the story's escalating tensions.
6Bed and Breakfast
46 min September 17, 2026
Lizzie and Maggie attempt to deal with the aftermath of the brutal crime as investigators close in.
7The Trial of the Century
46 min September 17, 2026
Lizzie faces a public trial while the sensational case captures widespread attention.
8Carnival
63 min September 17, 2026
Lizzie confronts the consequences of her notorious legacy and searches for a way forward.
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