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Ryan Murphy‘s Netflix series Monster has been called into question in the past for inaccuracies about its subjects — but what did the show get wrong about Lizzie Borden‘s case?
The first season, which debuted in 2022, featured Evan Peters as serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Monster, which also starred Niecy Nash, came under fire after the families of Dahmer’s victims revealed they weren’t consulted for the show.
Season 2 faced similar backlash from convicted killers Erik and Lyle Menendez, who specifically called out the incest insinuations. Murphy, for his part, stood by his vision for the episodes and pointed out how the show helped Erik and Lyle’s ongoing efforts to be granted parole.
Murphy ultimately chose Ed Gein as the subject for the show’s third installment with Charlie Hunnam playing convicted murderer and suspected serial killer and grave robber. It also explored how Gein’s crimes helped true crime evolve into a pop culture phenomenon with projects such as Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Silence of the Lambs.
Season 4, which is streaming now, follows the 1892 murders in the Borden family. Lizzie Borden was later named the prime suspect before being acquitted.
“It’s interesting these sequences of murderers. You end up sort of forming an emotional opinion about them when you work on them,” showrunner Ian Brennan told Us in September 2026. “That’s the most interesting part of the process of growing to like these people. It’s strange, and that was unexpected.”
Monster is currently streaming on Netflix. Keep scrolling for a breakdown of every inaccuracy made in the show:
Lizzie Borden’s Alleged Romance With Her Maid
Murphy’s version depicted Bridget (Vicky Krieps) as a new maid working for the Borden family who would go on to become Lizzie’s (Ella Beatty) lover. While this topic was also explored in the 1984 novel Lizzie by Evan Hunter and the 2018 film Lizzie, there hasn’t been any concrete proof of a romantic relationship between the women.
Andrew Borden’s Affair With the Maid
Similar to Lizzie, Monster presented a scene claiming Andrew (Hunnam) and Bridget were having a sexual relationship that resulted in a pregnancy. That appeared to be pure fiction for the sake of the show.
The Murder of Bertha Manchester
The real Bertha Manchester was killed with an axe days before Lizzie’s trial. Lizzie was locked away at that time, which means Monster’s claim that Lizzie and Bridget killed Bertha as well is false. (A day laborer later took responsibility for Manchester’s death.)
What Motivated Lizzie Borden’s Alleged Actions?
Lizzie was acquitted in real life but the Netflix show made a judgment call on her being guilty. Monster also presented a theory that Lizzie was abused by her father and stepmother, which caused her to seek revenge.
Monster leaned into the idea by showing Abby Borden killing Lizzie’s doves, throwing boiling soup at a maid and more. There is no evidence to support that characterization of the real Abby and some have speculated that if Lizzie was at fault for the murders then she was motivated by an inheritance.
Lizzie Borden’s Connection to Aileen Wuornos and Countess Elizabeth Bathory
Monster once again attempted to make a narrative statement by linking Lizzie to alleged killers Aileen Wuornos and Countess Elizabeth Bathory. There is no evident link between in real life — or that Wuornos was inspired by Lizzie as hinted at in the show.
Wuornos also couldn’t have visited the Borden residence because it wasn’t open to the public until 1996. (Wuornos was arrested on several murder charges in 1991 and remained behind bars ahead of her 2002 execution.)
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