Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story Review – An Eight‑Hour Take on the 1892 Axe Murders

The eighth installment of Ryan Murphy’s “Monster” anthology, “The Lizzie Borden Story,” premiered as an eight‑hour miniseries that dramatizes the 1892 Borden axe murders in Fall River, Massachusetts. The series is written by Ian Brennan and directed primarily by Max Winkler, the duo behind last year’s “The Ed Gein Story.” Two episodes feature female director Sarah Adina Smith, while the remainder are helmed by Winkler. Rebecca Hall headlines the cast as the titular Lizzie Borden, with supporting performances that aim to capture the period setting and the psychological complexity of the case.

The show is positioned as a historical crime drama that blends investigative narrative with period detail, exploring the social and legal context of the late nineteenth century. It follows the investigation that led to Borden’s conviction, interweaving courtroom scenes, family dynamics, and the broader cultural attitudes toward women and violence at the time. The production has been noted for its extensive use of period costumes, location shooting, and a soundtrack designed to evoke the era’s atmosphere.

As part of Murphy’s broader “Monster” series, “The Lizzie Borden Story” adds a new chapter to his exploration of infamous American crimes. The miniseries has been made available on the same streaming platform that hosts the anthology’s previous entries, allowing viewers to continue following the thematic arc that spans from the Ed Gein case to the Borden murders. The release has sparked discussion among viewers and critics about its portrayal of historical events and its place within contemporary true‑crime storytelling.