Netflix’s anthology series Monster has launched its fourth season, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, marking the first time the series centers on a female subject. Released on September 17, the season dramatizes the notorious 1892 axe murders of Andrew and Abby Borden in Fall River, Massachusetts, focusing on Lizzie Borden, the daughter and stepdaughter of the victims, who was tried and acquitted for the killings.

The series, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, has gained recognition for its crime drama format that explores high-profile American murder cases. Previous seasons have spotlighted serial killers such as Jeffrey Dahmer and Ed Gein, as well as the Menendez brothers, all of whom were convicted. This new season diverges by delving into a historical case where the accused was acquitted, allowing the show to explore more ambiguity and creative interpretation surrounding the events.

Ella Beatty stars as Lizzie Borden, with Charlie Hunnam playing Andrew Borden and Rebecca Hall portraying Abby Borden. Hall remarked on the cultural mythos surrounding Lizzie, noting that although many know the famous nursery rhyme, fewer are aware of the unresolved nature of the case and the fact that Lizzie was found not guilty. The series aims to explore these complexities and the societal constraints placed on women in the late 19th century.

Director Max Winkler emphasized the show's focus on the pressures and limitations imposed on women during that era. He described Lizzie’s character as representing a woman confined by rigid social expectations, unable to marry or escape her circumstances, which the series interprets as a driving force behind the depicted “female rage.” Winkler highlighted that the show does not depict killers as inherently evil but rather examines the circumstances and pressures that can lead individuals to violent acts.

The season also incorporates figures from history beyond the Borden case, including appearances by infamous female murderers such as Aileen Wuornos, a convicted serial killer executed in 2002, and Elizabeth Bathory, a Hungarian noblewoman from the 17th century reputed to have tortured and killed numerous women.

Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story revisits American crime history with a new perspective, blending true crime with historical drama while addressing themes of gender and societal expectations. The season is available for streaming exclusively on Netflix.