Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story premiere review: Bloody but pointless
Ryan Murphy's true crime anthology returns with a fourth season about Lizzie Borden, starring Ella Beatty. The premiere is over-the-top and exploitative, with little examination of the crime. The show continues Murphy's pattern of sensationalized storytelling.
The fourth season of Ryan Murphy's anthology shifts focus to the 1892 Fall River murders, with Ella Beatty in the title role. The production pairs her with Rebecca Hall and Charlie Hunnam as her victims, while Vicky Krieps appears as the household's new maid. Ian Brennan wrote the entire season, with Max Winkler directing the premiere.
The Borden case has inspired numerous adaptations over the decades, including stage productions, musicals, podcasts, and portrayals by actresses such as Elizabeth Montgomery, Christina Ricci, and Chloë Sevigny. The review notes the show's heavy use of period music and theatrical bloodshed, suggesting the series prioritizes spectacle over substantive examination of the historical events.
The series could reinforce concerns about how true crime entertainment balances historical accuracy with dramatic license. Viewers familiar with the Borden case may find the sensationalized approach reductive, while newcomers might absorb a distorted version of events. The show's continued success could signal sustained audience appetite for stylized retellings, potentially shaping how future generations understand this century-old case.