Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
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based on child development research. How do we rate?
Alleged killer's dark backstory has blood, rape, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Lizzie
What's the Story?
LIZZIE Borden of historical pop culture fame allegedly took the ax and "gave her mother 40 whacks" in 1892. The backstory presented here includes a wealthy, cruel, and controlling New England father (Jamey Sheridan) presiding over two unmarried daughters, Lizzie (Chloe Sevigny) and Emma (Kim Dickens). He's stingy, he rapes housemaid Bridget (Kristen Stewart) on a nightly basis, he threatens Lizzie with institutionalization, and he plots with a ne'er-do-well brother-in-law (Denis O'Hare) to keep his considerable estate out of his children's hands. In a surpassing act of cruelty, he even cuts off the heads of Lizzie's homing pigeons and feeds them to the family for dinner. Lizzie maintains her self-esteem in the face of male relatives telling her she's "nothing" and takes to teaching Bridget to read, slowly forming a bond that leads to a romantic relationship. In flashback, the murders play out, revealing meticulous plans that don't go exactly as intended.
Is It Any Good?
This thriller-like retelling of an infamous murder case presents a monster that brings out both the courage and violence in others, but also poses the question of who the monster really is. Lizzie's unsettling music and a score filled with creaky doors and floors also mimics the genre's eerie aura. The movie is clear that although Lizzie is bright, self possessed, and capable, it's her second-class status as a woman, and especially an unmarried woman, that's at the root of her problems. She's her cruel father's property, and damaged goods at that.
The film emphasizes Lizzie's powerlessness as the terrible true-life double murder is deconstructed and delivered in riveting fashion. This setup examines whether Lizzie could have been purely a cold-blooded killer or someone fighting for her life and, at the same time, ridding the world of a predatory demon. Not everyone will see it that way, but this Lizzie is painted as a victim who, seeing no escape from her torture, rises up violently in a heroic act of liberation.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how women are portrayed in Lizzie. How does the movie show the powerlessness of many 19th century women? What's different today, and what has stayed the same?
The movie asks viewers to believe that psychological cruelty drove Lizzie to commit bad acts. Do you agree that some crimes are justified in extreme circumstances? Why, or why not?
How could you learn more about the real-life Lizzie Borden?
Is it ethical to sensationalize real-life crimes for movies or television? What are the hazards of doing so? How can you tell a true-crime story responsibly?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 14, 2018
- On DVD or streaming : December 11, 2018
- Cast : Chloe Sevigny , Kristen Stewart , Jamey Sheridan , Fiona Shaw , Denis O'Hare
- Director : Craig William Macneill
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : History ( Biopic )
- Run time : 105 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : for violence and grisly images, nudity, a scene of sexuality and some language
- Last updated : October 12, 2026
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