The true story behind Netflix’s Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story centres on one of America’s most closely scrutinised murder cases.
Lizzie Borden was accused of killing her father, Andrew Borden, and stepmother, Abby Borden, with an axe in 1892.
According to Netflix Tudum, the latest season of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s anthology series dramatises the case while adding fictionalised elements.
Ella Beatty plays Lizzie, with Vicky Krieps portraying Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan, the family’s housemaid.
Beatty said she researched the case extensively before taking on the role. “When the audition came up, I listened to every true crime [podcast] that I could find to learn the facts of the case,” she said.
The real Borden murders remain disputed, although evidence presented in the case pointed towards Lizzie.
The series depicts her as living under strict and repressive parents before the killings.
Historical records show Abby Borden was struck 19 times and Andrew 11, rather than the larger numbers suggested by the famous rhyme about Lizzie Borden.
Lizzie was acquitted at her 1893 trial.
Several alternative suspects have since been proposed, but none was established as responsible for the murders.
The series also changes elements of the historical record, including its portrayal of Nance O’Neil, who became friends with Lizzie years after the trial rather than coaching her through it.
Netflix Tudum also reports that the season explores connections between Lizzie Borden and later female criminals, including Aileen Wuornos, as part of its wider examination of female violence and social constraints.
