Netflix’s Monster: The Ed Gein Story has sparked major conversations online, with its chilling dive into the life of the “Butcher of Plainfield.” The third instalment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s acclaimed Monster anthology has topped global streaming charts, reigniting audiences’ obsession with true-crime storytelling. Now, as the buzz continues, fans are already looking ahead — and Netflix has confirmed that the fourth season will focus on one of America’s earliest and most infamous accused murderers: Lizzie Borden.
Lizzie Borden’s story remains one of the most sensational and debated cases in U.S. criminal history. In August 1892, her father, Andrew Borden, and stepmother, Abby Borden, were found brutally murdered with an axe inside their home in Fall River, Massachusetts. Lizzie, then 32, quickly became the prime suspect. The case captivated the entire nation — not just because of its brutality, but also because of its social implications. Lizzie was from a respectable, upper-middle-class family, and the thought of a well-bred woman committing such a gruesome act shocked Victorian society.
Despite overwhelming suspicion and intense media coverage, Lizzie Borden was acquitted after a highly publicised trial in 1893. There was no physical evidence directly tying her to the crime, and her defence team successfully cast doubt on the prosecution’s claims. Nevertheless, public opinion remained divided. Many believed she had gotten away with murder, while others saw her as a victim of misogyny and sensationalist journalism. After the trial, Lizzie lived the rest of her life in Fall River but was ostracised by her community, forever haunted by the rhyme that immortalised her name:
“Lizzie Borden took an axe,
And gave her mother forty whacks.
When she saw what she had done,
She gave her father forty-one.”
According to Variety, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story will revisit the events of 1892, blending historical detail with Ryan Murphy’s signature psychological depth. Netflix’s Tudum revealed that this will be the first time the Monster series places a female subject at its centre, exploring not just the alleged crimes but also the gender politics, societal judgment, and mythmaking surrounding Lizzie’s story.
The cast lineup has already generated excitement. As reported by Deadline, rising star Ella Beatty will portray Lizzie Borden, following her acclaimed performance in Murphy’s Feud: Capote vs. The Swans. Rebecca Hall has joined the cast as Abby Borden, the ill-fated stepmother, while Vicky Krieps will play Bridget Sullivan, the Bordens’ maid and a key witness whose testimony shaped the trial’s outcome. Billie Lourd and Emma Borden are also confirmed to appear, though their roles remain under wraps.
After the success of previous seasons — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story with Evan Peters, which surpassed 1 billion viewing hours, Monster: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which earned multiple Emmy nominations, and the recently released Monster: The Ed Gein Story — the anthology’s next chapter is expected to push the boundaries of true-crime storytelling once again.
With a gripping mix of historical intrigue, psychological drama, and cultural commentary, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story promises to revive one of America’s most enduring mysteries — asking once more whether Lizzie was a cold-blooded killer or a woman unjustly condemned by history.