Summary (tl;dr)

Interest in the infamous 1892 Lizzie Borden axe murders has surged following the September 17, 2026, release of "Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story" on Netflix, a new installment in Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's true-crime anthology series starring Ella Beatty in the titular role.

Essential Background

Lizzie Borden was an American woman tried and acquitted for the 1892 axe murders of her father, Andrew Borden, and stepmother, Abby Borden, in Fall River, Massachusetts. The sensational case captivated the public, and despite her acquittal, Borden remained a central figure in true crime folklore, forever linked to the unsolved murders and a popular nursery rhyme. Bridget Sullivan, the Borden family's live-in maid, was the only other person known to be in the house at the time of the murders and served as a key witness in the trial.

The Full Story

Netflix debuted all eight episodes of "Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story" on September 17, 2026, bringing renewed attention to the historical crime. This season marks the first time the "Monster" anthology, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, focuses on an alleged female perpetrator, with Ella Beatty leading the cast as Lizzie Borden. The series also features Rebecca Hall as Abby Borden, Charlie Hunnam as Andrew Borden, and Vicky Krieps in the role of Bridget Sullivan. While exploring themes of misogyny, gender roles, and societal expectations of women in the Victorian era, the show takes significant creative liberties with historical facts, including depicting a fictional romantic relationship between Borden and Sullivan. The series has garnered mixed to negative reviews from critics and audiences, similar to previous seasons of the anthology.

Why It Matters

The release of "Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story" is reigniting fascination with one of America's most enduring unsolved true-crime mysteries. Viewers are drawn to the dramatic interpretation of Borden's life and the events surrounding the murders, as well as the performances by its notable cast. The show's attempt to explore the psychological and societal factors that might lead a woman to violence, including a controversial fictionalized relationship between Borden and her maid, adds a contemporary lens to the historical narrative. The series also ties into a broader exploration of female "monsters" by featuring Sarah Paulson as serial killer Aileen Wuornos, spanning different historical periods.

Geographic Location

• Fall River, Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States (site of the 1892 Borden murders and the Lizzie Borden House)
• Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (where principal photography for "Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story" began)