Parents' Guide to Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story

TV Netflix Drama 2026
Monster - The Lizzie Borden Story TV show poster: Ella Beatty wears a strapless dress. She points an axe forward.

Common Sense Media Review

By Ty'Kira Smalls , based on child development research. How do we rate?

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age 16+

Gore, sex, and strong language in macabre true crime drama.

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Parents Need to Know

Why Age 16+?

Any Positive Content?

  • The Lizzie Borden Story screenshot 1: Vicky Krieps wears a light grey dress, with a bow at the collar and apron. She rests her hands on a chair.
  • The Lizzie Borden Story screenshot 2: Ella Beatty stands at the bottom of a staircase., wearing a light pink floral dress.
  • The Lizzie Borden Story screenshot 2: Charlie Hunnam and Rebecca Hall. Hunnam wears a black coat, vest, and tie. Hall wears a black and blue dress.

Parent and Kid Reviews

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What's the Story?

MONSTER: THE LIZZIE BORDEN STORY begins with the infamous gruesome axe murders that inspired a nursery rhyme and ended in a historic murder trial. The four months leading up to the murders are explored through flashbacks, as we follow Lizzie Borden (Ella Beatty), her affluent home life, and her position as the black sheep of the family. When a new maid (Vicky Krieps) joins the Borden household, Lizzie forms a very close bond with her and is influenced to bring an end to her mistreatment. What follows is then murder trial of the century, as the Massachusetts town grapples with how a woman's contempt grew to multiple violent casualties.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

This installment in the Monster franchise is indulgent and gory. Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is at times a nonstop literal bloodbath and doesn't pull its punches with brutality. Outside of the carnage, the story also tries to justify Lizzie's contempt toward her parents. Krieps' performance is complex; her chemistry with Beatty is intense and off kilter, but also hard to look away from. The violence, gore, language, and sexual content make this suitable only for older viewers.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about shows that are from the point of view of serial killers. What do you think the creators of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story are trying to portray about Borden? Do you think this retelling is necessary? How does it compare to the other types of media that have focused on her? Is this series showing anything different?

  • How does the violence in this series impact the story? Do you think it's necessary? How does media violence affect viewers?

TV Details

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Monster - The Lizzie Borden Story TV show poster: Ella Beatty wears a strapless dress. She points an axe forward.

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