‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story’ Drops Haunting New Trailer Featuring Axe-Wielding Ella Beatty

Now that Charlie Hunnam has finished his turn in the Monster series’ third season, it’s time to meet Netflix’s next Monster, and the first trailer for Season 4 has officially dropped.

The fourth installment of Ryan Murphy‘s highly controversial and binge-worthy Netflix anthology turns its attention to one of the most notorious women in American history: Lizzie Borden. And after previously releasing a bloody first look and confirming a September 17 premiere date, Netflix is now giving viewers a better look at Ella Beatty as Lizzie, the woman at the center of one of America’s most enduring murder mysteries.

Beatty, the daughter of Annette Bening and Warren Beatty, leads Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, while Hunnam makes the unusual jump from playing Season 3’s monster, Ed Gein, to playing Lizzie’s father, Andrew Borden. Rebecca Hall stars as Lizzie’s stepmother, Abby Borden, with Vicky Krieps as the family’s live-in maid, Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan, and Billie Lourd as Lizzie’s older sister, Emma.

Borden became a national sensation after her father and stepmother were brutally murdered in their Fall River, Massachusetts, home in 1892. Lizzie was charged with the killings but ultimately acquitted, leaving behind a mystery that has endured for more than 130 years, and given Murphy considerably more room to speculate than some of Monster‘s previous true-crime subjects.

Here’s everything we know about Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, including what the new trailer reveals, the cast, premiere date, and more.

When will Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story premiere?

Monster Season 4 premieres in full on Thursday, September 17, on Netflix. The season consists of eight episodes. The premiere date and first-look photos were first reported by Vanity Fair.

Exclusive First Look: ‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story,’ the next season of Ryan Murphy’s anthology series, is the first installment to focus on a famous murderess (following seasons about convicted male killers Jeffrey Dahmer, Ed Gein, and the Menendez brothers), who is also… pic.twitter.com/SUkRCUFfPQ

— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) August 4, 2026

Is there a Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story trailer?

Yes. Appropriately creepy, the trailer begins with a voiceover declaring, “There is nothing wrong with blood. Blood is power. Blood is freedom,” as images of Lizzie (Beatty) lying on the grass appear. “This house is like a puzzle to me. You’re like a puzzle to me,” says maid Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan (Krieps). “I never met anyone like you.” Flashes of Hunnam and Hall as Lizzie’s parents — and their questionable parenting — follow as Bridget says, “And your parents, and the way they treat you. They deserve it.” The trailer then shows the two women conspiring against Lizzie’s parents as “Berghain” by Rosalía, Björk and Yves Tumor plays in the background, culminating with the ominous tagline: “Hell hath no fury like a woman with an axe.” 

Who is Lizzie Borden?

On Thursday, August 4, 1892, Abby and her husband, Andrew, were discovered murdered in their home in Fall River, Massachusetts, killed with an axe. Abby was found in an upstairs bedroom, struck once on the side of the head and then 17 more times on the back of the head and body. Andrew was found on the downstairs couch, having been similarly struck nearly a dozen times. Investigators believed he had been asleep when the attack occurred. According to reports, the time of death was estimated to be around 11:00 a.m.

Andrew’s daughter, Lizzie, quickly became the prime suspect for several reasons. During her police interrogation, she was reported to have given a series of contradictory and confusing statements about her whereabouts and the noises she claimed to have heard at the time of the murders. Reports that she had tried to buy poison, along with the discovery of several weapons, including hatchets and axes, in the house, further pointed the police in her direction.

Lizzie was arrested on August 11, and her trial began on June 5, 1893. After a sensational trial, including a moment in which the victims’ skulls were presented as evidence, the jury was sent to deliberate on June 20, 1893, and they acquitted Lizzie Borden of the murders.

Over the years, public opinion has been divided on the subject of Lizzie Borden, making her the perfect subject for Murphy’s scrutiny. Many believed she got away with murder, while others saw her as a victim of circumstance and societal bias.

Who will star in Season 4 of Monster?

On July 28, it was announced that Beatty will play Lizzie Borden in Season 4 of the acclaimed Monster series. According to Deadline, which broke the news, the actress landed the role after an extensive multi-country casting search.

Rebecca Hall has also been cast as her stepmother, Abby. The actress is best known for her roles in The Prestige, Iron Man 3, Godzilla vs. Kong, and, most recently, Apple TV+’s The Studio and Murphy’s The Beauty. She will be joined by Vicky Krieps, who is cast as maid Bridget Sullivan, and Hunnam as her father, Andrew Borden.

On September 17, Deadline announced that Murphy darling Billie Lourd and Jessica Barden have joined the project. Lourd has appeared in six installments of Murphy’s American Horror Story as well as on the spinoff American Horror Stories, while Barden appeared in Season 3 of American Horror Stories.

You’ve met Ed Gein, now meet Lizzie Borden. Ella Beatty will play one of history’s most notorious women in the fourth installment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s MONSTER.

Now in production in Los Angeles. Also starring Charlie Hunnam, Vicky Krieps, Rebecca Hall, Billie Lourd… pic.twitter.com/JAy40IYKa9

— Netflix (@netflix) October 9, 2025

What were the previous seasons of Monster about?

The first season, titled Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, explored the life of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer and the impact on his victims. Starring Evan Peters in a Golden Globe-winning performance, the series delved into Dahmer’s troubled childhood, his horrific crimes, the lives he shattered, and his eventual death.

The second season, titled Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, focused on the wealthy Menendez brothers, who were accused of murdering their parents. While the series offered multiple viewpoints, it centered primarily on the brothers, presenting a fresh look at their motives and possible justifications. The season earned praise for its strong performances, particularly Javier Bardem as José Menendez.

The third season is called Monster: The Original Monster and will focus on Ed Gein. It is set for October 2025.

Where will Monster Season 4 stream?

Like the previous seasons, Monster Season 4 will stream exclusively on Netflix.

As of October 2024, it was the platform’s third most popular English-language series.

Has the topic of Lizzie Borden been covered before?

Goodness, yes. Ms. Borden has been depicted in various ways over the years, ranging from femme fatale to a misunderstood product of her era. Here are a few notable projects to watch:

The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975, ABC TV Movie)
Starring Bewitched‘s Elizabeth Montgomery as Lizzie and Katherine Helmond as her sister Emma, the highly acclaimed drama was nominated for an Emmy and renewed interest at the time in Borden.

Lizzie Borden Took an Ax (2014, Lifetime TV Movie) and The Lizzie Borden Chronicles (2015, Lifetime)
Starring Christina Ricci, the Lifetime movie and spin-off series offered a stylish take on the trial and Borden’s life after her acquittal.

Lizzie (Roadside Attractions; 2018)
Ryan Murphy player Chloë Sevigny stepped into the role of Lizzie while Kristen Stewart played her companion, Bridget Sullivan, in this take that turns Borden’s story into a feminist thriller.

American Justice: Lizzie Borden (A&E Documentary Episode)
A true-crime look at the murders, the trial, and the woman herself. The show used real evidence and interviews in an attempt to get to the bottom of the case and trial.

Monster, Season 4, Thursday, September 17, Netflix