Ryan Murphy is back with another chapter of his most divisive Netflix anthology, and this time he's turning the spotlight on one of America's most infamous accused murderesses. Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story will premiere on September 17, marking the first time the series has centered on a female figure.
The show has been a lightning rod for criticism since its debut, with Season 1 focusing on Jeffrey Dahmer, Season 2 on the Menendez brothers, and Season 3 on Ed Gein. Each installment has drawn massive viewership but also sparked heated debate about whether the series glamorizes or exploits real-life criminals. The upcoming season, which stars Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden, Charlie Hunnam, Rebecca Hall, and Vicky Krieps, is expected to reignite that conversation.
Murphy's recent output has been a rollercoaster. His Hulu legal drama All's Fair flopped with critics, his sci-fi horror The Beauty was canceled after one season, and Love Story became a surprise hit that launched its leads into stardom. The Shards, meanwhile, earned mixed reviews. But Monster remains his biggest streaming draw, even as its Rotten Tomatoes scores have dipped—the Ed Gein season sits at a franchise-low 22%.
This new season also introduces a potential twist for the future: Sarah Paulson, a frequent Murphy collaborator, appears as serial killer Aileen Wuornos, hinting that Season 5 might explore her story. That would continue the show's pattern of focusing on killers who have become pop-culture fixtures.
For those who want to catch up on other true-crime or anthology offerings, Stephen King's Creepshow anthology is worth a revisit, and if you're in the mood for something lighter, this Netflix K-drama blends romance with supernatural thrills.
As the September 17 premiere approaches, expect more details about the cast, the creative direction, and the inevitable backlash. Whether you love it or hate it, Monster is impossible to ignore.
