When Fact and Fiction Blur: The Complicated Legacy of Lizzie Borden

The upcoming Netflix series, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, revisits one of the most infamous true crime cases in American history. Ella Beatty takes on the lead role of Lizzie Borden, accused axe murderer of her father and stepmother in 1892 Fall River, Massachusetts.

Ryan Murphy’s anthology series has a knack for tackling dark subjects with a keen eye towards sensationalism. But what does it mean to retell this story now, particularly through the lens of women’s liberation? Murphy himself has acknowledged the controversy that comes with reimagining Lizzie Borden’s tale, calling it “very modern” and saying it’s “very about today.”

This sentiment might strike some viewers as puzzling, given the nearly 130-year-old nature of the events. However, Murphy is onto something. The notion of Lizzie Borden as a symbol of female empowerment has been present in popular culture for decades.

The fascination with Lizzie Borden speaks to our ongoing struggle with how we perceive women who commit violent crimes. We tend to conflate their actions with societal injustices, often elevating them to the status of tragic heroines or martyrs. This phenomenon is not unique to the Borden case; consider the sympathetic portrayals of Aileen Wuornos and Elizabeth Báthory in Monster’s latest season.

The Mythology of Lizzie Borden

Lizzie’s legend has been cemented through various adaptations, including the 1975 TV movie The Legend of Lizzie Borden and Lifetime’s 2014 take. Chloë Sevigny and Kristen Stewart starred in the 2018 film Lizzie, which took a more dramatic approach to retelling her story. These reimaginings have helped solidify Lizzie’s place as an icon in American popular culture.

However, this constant reinterpretation raises questions about our relationship with historical truth. How do we balance artistic license with the responsibility of accurately representing the past? Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story seems to walk a fine line between drama and docudrama, blurring the lines between fact and fiction.

Monsters Born or Made?

Murphy’s statement that monsters are either born or made takes on new significance in this context. He implies that our understanding of these individuals is shaped by societal factors, rather than their inherent nature. This perspective suggests that Lizzie Borden’s actions should be seen through the lens of her circumstances, not as a singular act of violence.

The implications of Murphy’s words are profound, particularly when considering how we portray women who have committed crimes in the past. Rather than lionizing them or demonizing them, perhaps it’s time to examine their stories with nuance and complexity. Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story offers a chance for viewers to engage with this complex narrative, one that challenges our assumptions about justice, morality, and the role of women in society.

Legacy and Influence

The series arrives at a pivotal moment in cultural discourse surrounding true crime and its relationship to social justice movements. We are witnessing a resurgence of interest in reexamining historical crimes, often through the lens of feminist theory or restorative justice. Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story taps into this zeitgeist, inviting audiences to reflect on what it means for us today.

As we watch the series, keep in mind that Lizzie Borden is not a singular figure but part of a larger narrative about women who have defied societal norms. The success of Monster will depend on how effectively it navigates these themes, avoiding sensationalism while maintaining artistic integrity.

The premiere of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story marks the beginning of a conversation that extends far beyond the confines of television programming. It challenges us to think critically about our relationship with true crime stories and their impact on our collective psyche.