Netflix’s Next True Crime Drama From Ryan Murphy Is Even Scarier For One Key Reason

Ryan Murphy’s Monster series isn’t meant to be a true-crime documentary, and the way he tells these stories has sparked a lot of debate. Known for visually striking shows like American Horror Story, Murphy has a very recognizable style – you can often identify his work after seeing just a quick glimpse. Monster continues this trend, using brightly colored promotional images – almost like collectible cards – to represent each person involved in the story.

The TV series Monster, which focuses on serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, immediately sparked controversy. Unlike many true crime shows that aim for a documentary feel, Monster took a more dramatic and fictionalized approach. While the series hasn’t been praised for its accuracy, it has become very popular, attracting a large audience and earning 23 Emmy nominations. A key reason for its success is the strong acting, with many considering Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story to be one of Evan Peters’ best performances.

Ryan Murphy’s Monster series has allowed several actors to take on unexpected roles. For example, casting Charlie Hunnam – famous for his charismatic character Jax Teller in Sons of Anarchy – as the mother-obsessed serial killer Ed Gein was a surprising choice. Despite this, Hunnam delivered a frightening performance and publicly supported the show’s depiction of Ed Gein, even as some criticized the way the real-life events were changed.

The Monster series isn’t meant to be a realistic portrayal of true crime, like Mindhunter. It’s a fictionalized, often shocking, anthology that focuses on telling compelling stories about famous killers, and viewers are eager to see what creator Ryan Murphy will cover next. Season 4 is already planned, and it looks like it could be the biggest and most expansive season yet.

Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story Is Ryan Murphy’s Next True Crime Drama On Netflix

The fourth season of Monster will explore the infamous Lizzie Borden case, marking a departure from previous seasons. This will be the first time the show has focused on a female killer, but reportedly, Borden won’t be the only one. According to Variety, Sarah Paulson, known for American Horror Story, is likely to join the cast as Aileen Wuornos, adding another layer to the season’s focus on female criminals.

Lizzie Borden and Aileen Wuornos lived in different eras and never crossed paths, leaving fans curious about how Ryan Murphy will bring their stories together in season 4 of his show. Ella Beatty, who previously worked with Murphy on Feud: Capote vs. the Swans, will play Borden, known for a brutal double murder in 1892.

The released Ryan Murphy Monster TV shows
Title Year Episodes Rotten Tomatoes critics’ rating Rotten Tomatoes audience rating
The Jeffrey Dahmer Story 2022 10 57% 82%
The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story 2024 9 45% 58%
The Ed Gein Story 2025 8 21% 49%

As a true crime buff, I’m completely fascinated by the Lizzie Borden case. She came from a pretty well-off family – her dad, Andrew, owned a lot of real estate and mills. Things got really complicated after her mother passed away and he remarried Abby. Sadly, both Abby and Andrew were found brutally murdered in their home, and Lizzie ended up on trial. Knowing the details makes me think the next season of Monster is going to be seriously chilling – it’s a truly disturbing story.

Lizzie Borden’s Story Is Even Scarier Than Previous Seasons Of Monster For One Reason

Lizzie Borden’s case differs from those featured in the previous seasons of Monster because she was found not guilty. The evidence against her was indirect – no murder weapon was ever discovered. Accounts suggest her behavior after the arrest and during the trial was strange, and many believe the all-male jury was influenced by the societal expectations of women at the time, finding it hard to believe a respectable, religious woman could commit such a violent act. While historians still debate whether she committed the axe murders, most people assume she was responsible.

Ryan Murphy, the creator of Monster, has said he’s more interested in the why behind crimes than the crimes themselves, but the upcoming fourth season will likely still feature at least one very graphic scene. The show is leaving Borden’s guilt ambiguous, and it will be compelling to see how that’s presented – perhaps even portraying her as a killer who got away with it. While the Monster series has tackled many disturbing cases, the story of Lizzie Borden could be Murphy’s biggest and most captivating challenge yet.

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2026-05-24 21:01