Earlier this month, Netflix released another production from Ryan Murphy’s Monster series: the 1892 historical case of Lizzie Borden, an axe murderer. Murphy is well known for his thrilling crime series based on historical cases that made headlines. This series adapted Jeffrey Dahmer, the Menendez brothers, Ed Gein, and, a year later, the Lizzie Borden case.
Lizzie Borden was 32 years old when she murdered her father and stepmother with an axe in their Fall River, Massachusetts mansion, earning a $300,000 inheritance, worth $10 million today. The reasoning behind the murders had no official motive proven in Borden’s court hearing; however, viewers are speaking up on Reddit and speculating this was all done for financial reasons.
Beyond the historical case itself, the series has sparked discussions among viewers about its accuracy, creative decisions, and the inclusion of other criminals. Reddit user pinacoladaismyjam has questioned whether the additional storylines support Lizzie Borden’s story or distract from it, particularly as the series progresses.
“Ryan Murphy seems to be bringing other serial killers into the documentary that are not relevant, and it ruins the entire show,” the user said. “He did it with Ed Gein, and he did it here with Lizzie Borden.”
The inclusion of Aileen Wuornos is another major aspect of the season. Portrayed by Sarah Paulson, Wuornos is introduced as a woman who becomes fascinated by Borden’s story. Although the two women lived nearly a century apart, the series draws parallels between their experiences with abuse and violence. Murphy uses their stories to explore female rage and how the treatment of women can influence their lives. However, there is no evidence that Borden inspired Wuornos.
Beyond its storytelling, the series has also sparked discussions about its possible use of artificial intelligence. Several Reddit users in a thread questioned whether some of the footage was AI-generated, with many expressing frustration over its suspected use. In the same Reddit thread, one user, Key-Perspective-8133, wrote, “I can’t stand AI trash,” while OtherwiseTomatillo13 described the use of AI as “obvious” and questioned whether other Reddit users had noticed it. However, not all users were entirely critical of the series.
Another user, Dishwasher_Safe60, had a more positive opinion, commenting, “It’s good for what it is, but not historically accurate.” These differing opinions highlight the divide among viewers, with some appreciating the series as entertainment while others question its production choices and portrayal of historical events.
Production costs have also drawn attention. According to What’s on Netflix, the season had an estimated budget of $5 million to $7 million per episode. With eight episodes, that would put the production budget between $40 million and $56 million. Although Netflix has not publicly confirmed the figure, the reported estimate reflects the scale of the production, which includes elaborate period costumes, sets, and filming in multiple locations.
Overall, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story caused different reactions to its presentation of a historical case. While some viewers have praised the performances and the exploration of female rage, others have questioned its historical accuracy, the inclusion of Wuornos, and the suspected use of AI. The contrasting reactions reflect discussions on how much creative freedom television adaptations should have when recreating real criminal cases.
Who knows what Ryan Murphy will bring to his series next?