🪓 A Cut Above the Rest… or Just a Little Axhausting? : Coastal House Media

Well, this story certainly has a bone to pick with the definition of a happy family! Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story takes us back to one of America’s most infamous murder cases, where family drama gets very bloody and the question of “who did it?” comes with an axe-load of suspicion. With Lizzie Borden at the centre of the story, I was curious to see how the Monster series would put its own spin on this notorious case.

One of the things I enjoyed about this chapter of the Monster series is that it doesn’t simply focus on the famous “Lizzie Borden took an axe” story that most people already know. It tries to look beyond the headlines and explore Lizzie as a person, as well as the circumstances surrounding the murders of her father and stepmother.

I also enjoyed the appearance of Aileen, who provides another connection to the wider Monster universe. Her inclusion was an interesting touch and reminded me that this series is not only interested in the crimes themselves, but also in the infamous people behind them and the stories that have developed around their cases.

The comparison between Lizzie and Aileen is also interesting. Their stories are very different, but both demonstrate how notorious murder cases can become larger than the people involved. Their appearances add another layer to the series and its exploration of some of the most infamous names in true crime.

Unfortunately, this is where I started to feel that the series didn’t quite reach its full potential.

Lizzie Borden’s story is fascinating enough to carry a compelling series, but I found the pacing to be quite uneven. There were moments where the story had me interested and wanting to know what would happen next, but there were also sections that felt slow and dragged the overall experience down.

I also wanted more depth from some of the characters and storylines. There is plenty of material to work with, but at times it felt like the series was only scratching the surface. I would have liked to see more exploration of the relationships, motivations and circumstances surrounding Lizzie.

The atmosphere, however, works well. There is something naturally unsettling about watching a story based on real murders, particularly when the question of guilt has remained part of the fascination surrounding the case for so long.

The performances also help keep things together, and there were definitely moments that stood out. But for me, the series didn’t have the same impact that I would have hoped for from a Monster story.

The cast is definitely one of the stronger parts of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story. Ella Beatty does a good job as Lizzie, especially in showing the character’s more troubled and complicated side. She brings a quiet intensity to the role that works particularly well during the darker moments. Vicky Krieps is also impressive as Bridget Sullivan, bringing plenty of personality and emotion to a character who becomes an important part of Lizzie’s story.

Rebecca Hall and Charlie Hunnam also make an impression as Abby and Andrew Borden. Their performances help create the tension within the Borden household and make the family dynamics feel increasingly uncomfortable. Billie Lourd brings a different energy as Emma, Lizzie’s sister, and adds another layer to the complicated family relationships.

And then there is Sarah Paulson as Aileen Wuornos. Paulson is always someone who knows how to completely disappear into a character, and her performance here is another reminder of that. Even though Aileen’s story is separate from Lizzie’s historically, Paulson gives the character a strong presence and helps connect the two stories thematically.

For me, the performances are one of the reasons I continued watching even when the pacing started to drag. The cast brings enough intensity to the material to keep the story moving, even when the writing doesn’t always hit the mark.

I wouldn’t say I disliked it. There is enough here to keep fans of true crime and the Monster series interested. However, I found myself wanting more from the story, especially considering how fascinating the real-life case is.

⭐ Rating: 3/5

Final verdict: Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story had all the ingredients for a killer story, but unfortunately it didn’t always chop it up into the most gripping television. The axe has fallen, the mystery remains, and Aileen adds an interesting connection to the Monster universe — but for me, this one was more “what the axe?” than “what a killer season!” It certainly has its moments, but ultimately, it left me wanting a little more bite.

Take a swing and watch Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story on Netflix.