Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is now streaming on Netflix. All eight episodes of the fourth Monster season dropped on September 17, 2026. Since then, it has become one of the most talked-about releases on the service.
So what is the fuss about? For one thing, this season tackles one of America’s oldest true-crime mysteries. For another, it marks a first for the franchise — and it comes with a cast that has critics paying attention.
The Real Case Behind Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story
On the morning of August 4, 1892, two bodies were found in a house in Fall River, Massachusetts. Andrew Borden and his wife Abby had been bludgeoned to death. Their daughter and stepdaughter, 32-year-old Lizzie Borden, became the prime suspect.
Lizzie stood trial for the murders. The case gripped the nation. In the end, the jury acquitted her. As a result, no one was ever convicted of the killings, and the case has fascinated the public for more than 130 years. You can read a deeper account of how it played out in Smithsonian Magazine’s history of the trial.
Over the decades, the story has inspired films, books, stage plays, and even playground rhymes. The Lizzie Borden case remains one of the most famous unsolved murders in American history. Because of that, Ryan Murphy’s take arrives with huge built-in interest.
A First for the Monster Anthology
This season marks a historic shift for the franchise. Earlier chapters focused on Jeffrey Dahmer, the Menendez brothers, and Ed Gein. In other words, all the previous leads were men. Lizzie Borden is the first woman to headline the series.
The change is not cosmetic. The new season explores female rage and repression in 19th-century New England. Meanwhile, it keeps asking the question that has defined the show from the start: are monsters made, or are they born? Executive producer Ian Brennan has hinted that if Lizzie was a monster, she was not born that way. That framing puts the Borden household itself under scrutiny.
The Cast of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story
Ella Beatty, the daughter of Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, leads the season as Lizzie. In interviews before the premiere, Beatty called the case “almost mythic” in scale. She said the real draw was digging into Lizzie’s psychology.
Charlie Hunnam plays Andrew Borden, Lizzie’s father. Rebecca Hall plays her stepmother Abby. Hall has jokingly called the season Murphy’s version of a Cinderella story — a dark fairy tale about a daughter trapped in a cruel household.
Vicky Krieps takes on a double role. She plays Bridget Sullivan, the Bordens’ housemaid, and also the historical figure Elizabeth Báthory. In addition, Sarah Paulson — a frequent Murphy collaborator — appears as another notorious figure, serial killer Aileen Wuornos. The supporting cast includes Billie Lourd as Lizzie’s sister Emma, Jessica Barden as actress Nance O’Neil, and Joey Pollari as John Morse.
Behind the camera, Ian Brennan created the season and wrote it. Max Winkler directs six of the eight episodes. Sarah Adina Smith handles the fourth and sixth. Ryan Murphy serves as executive producer alongside a large producing team.
How to Watch Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story on Netflix
The season runs eight episodes. Each one lasts between 39 and 62 minutes. That adds up to roughly six and a half hours of viewing, so it makes a perfect weekend binge. All episodes landed at once on September 17 and are streaming exclusively on Netflix.
For a full episode-by-episode breakdown, see the season’s overview page.
Why This Season Matters
The Monster anthology has been a signature hit for Netflix since 2022. The first season, centered on Jeffrey Dahmer, became a breakout success. It proved that audiences will binge dark, difficult stories when the storytelling is strong. Since then, each new chapter has tried to repeat that success.
This one may have the best shot. First, the Borden case is genuinely unsolved, which gives the show room to speculate. Second, the female lead brings a fresh angle to a franchise that has focused on men. Finally, the cast is stacked with serious acting talent, and early reactions suggest the performances land.
Of course, the season has also renewed public debate about the real Lizzie. Was she guilty? Was she a victim of her time? The show does not hand viewers easy answers. However, it does keep the 130-year-old mystery alive for a brand-new generation.
For more streaming and TV coverage, check out our Lanterns Episode 6 recap.
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