Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story will debut on Netflix in September

Ryan Murphy’s Monster series will be back on Netflix next month, and for the first time, the featured “monster” is a woman. Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story will feature the horrifying story of the gruesome murders of Andrew and Abby Borden.

We all know the rhyme:

Lizzie Borden took an axe, 

And gave her mother 40 whacks. 

When she saw what she had done, 

She gave her father 41.

In 1892, the Bordens were murdered via multiple blows with an hatchet (not an axe); Abby was struck 18 times, and Andrew 10 received 10 or 11 blows. Although their daughter Lizzie was arrested for the murders, she was ultimately acquitted; a fact that did not prevent her from remaining the main suspect in the case in the years to come.

While the story is brutal enough as is, we all know that Ryan Murphy will find ways to sensationalize it even more, so we will have to wait and see how he treats it. No doubt there will be a lot of gore and salaciousness, just as in the first three seasons of Monster.

Ella Beatty (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You) portrays Lizzie, Charlie Hunnam (Monster: The Ed Gein Story) is Andrew, and Rebecca Hall (The Night House) is Abby. Other cast members include Vicky Krieps (Monster: The Ed Gein Story), Billie Lourd (American Horror Story), Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story), and Jessica Barden (American Horror Stories).

Beatty told Tudum that it had been “a dream come true to investigate this complicated person’s psychology and to examine an American crime that feels almost mythic in proportion.”

When does Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story premiere on Netflix?

The fourth season of Monster will debut on Netflix Thursday, September 17. While you wait, you can watch the first three seasons:

Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story – Powered by an incredible performance by Evan Peters as Dahmer, this is my personal favorite installment so far. It follows more closely to the true story than seasons two and three, while still managing to make the viewer feel slightly queasy at the details.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Mendendez Story – While the story of the Menendez brothers’ murder of their parents is fascinating, I didn’t quite understand why Murphy chose to portray them as having a sexual relationship. Over the years, many have speculated about it, but it’s never been proven.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story – Of the three Monster seasons, it’s my opinion that this one veers furthest from the actual story. Hunnam gives a fine performance, but there were quite a few side roads taken here.

Even with my own criticisms, each season of Monster is worth watching, and I am looking forward to seeing how Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story plays out. What about you? Will you watch the series when it comes to Netflix in September?

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