“Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story” generates mixed reviews

Kelcy Conroy

Editor in Chief

Please be noted that this article contains mentions of murder. 

“Monster,” the true crime anthology series on Netflix has gotten people on the internet talking once again. Created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, each season focuses on notorious homicide cases. In its fourth season “Monster” turns local as its focus is on the case of Lizzie Borden.

In 1892 in what is now Fall River, Massachusetts Lizzie Borden was tried and acquitted for the axe murders of her father and stepmother. Despite being found not guilty she was alienated and lived a life of isolation until her death in 1927. Her murders and trial have remained a topic in popular culture especially in the Massachusetts and general New England area. 

“Monster” hones in on a topic that has been theorized about Borden which is the mental state she was in when she committed the murders. Netflix’s synopsis of the season reads “Trapped in a cruel Victorian-era household, Lizzie Borden kills her parents in a gory ax murder that shocks the nation.” Borden is presented as a woman who is repressed after years of mistreatment from her parents and plots murder as a form of revenge. In real life, although there is no historical evidence to suggest Borden had a hostile relationship with either of her parents there were definitely tensions in the household as she and her older sister were frustrated with their father and stepmother. 

Despite the show’s exaggeration of some elements the ideas of gender, sexuality and free will arise in the season making it a hit in some parts of the internet. Variety praised how “The series carefully distinguishes Lizzie from her male killer counterparts while highlighting the oppressive conditions women faced in the era.” 

However unlike the previous three “Monster” seasons focusing on Jeffrey Dahmer, Lyle and Erik Menendez and Ed Gein respectively this fourth season has received more negative comments than its predecessors. Lucy Magnan of The Guardian criticized the show’s main focus on menstruation, sexuality and graphic violence and its refusal to explore the social conditions that Borden lived in and the circumstances surrounding her acquittal. 

It has also been criticized for its inclusion of Aileen Wuornos who was convicted of killing seven men in 1992. Played by Sarah Paulson, Wuornos connects with Borden by telling one of her victims her name is Lizzie Borden. Borden’s case predates Wuornos’ by 100 years and despite the connection in the show there is no real proof that Wuornos even knew of Borden.

Is the newest season of “Monster” worth the watch or is it too exaggerated? Share your opinions with The Anchor at our Instagram @rictheanchor.