Netflix’s true crime horror soars to number 1 despite being labelled ‘ridiculous’

| Senior TV Reporter Published September 18, 2026 4:39pm Updated September 18, 2026 4:39pm To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The latest addition to the Monster cinematic universe on Netflix is the grisly story of Lizzie Borden. Perhaps you’re not up to date on your true crime: Borden was accused of killing her father and stepmother with an axe in 1892, then later acquitted. That poses something of a quandary for a series that typically trades in convicted killers (Jeffrey Dahmer, the Menendez brothers and Ed Gein have all been the stars of their own seasons). But this is Ryan Murphy! His speciality is fact-based fiction – typically of the highly sensational variety. So Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, as it is very snappily called, has landed on Netflix this week and shot straight to the tippy top of the 10 most-watched TV shows. The eight episodes show Borden growing up in Fall River, Massachusetts, with her parents – here played by Charlie Hunnam, of last season’s stardom, and Rebecca Hall, of the Murphy atrocity that was The Beauty. Charlie Hunnam plays Lizzie Borden’s late father (Picture: Netflix) All eight episodes of the new Monster season are on Netflix (Picture: Netflix) The eight-part show tries on various lurid theories about their killings – including that Borden, here played by Ella Beatty, inspired the infamous Aileen Wuornos, played by Murphy fav Sarah Paulson, many years later. Perhaps because it’s the furthest the Monster series has reached into history, a touch more creative license has been deployed. Except, the show has been roundly knocked by TV critics and viewers alike. The season currently holds a 50 per cent critical score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. Will you be tuning into this season of Monster? I'm still trying to finish The ShardsCheck Want to get bespoke updates on the TV shows you love? Sign up to Metro's TV newsletters and tell us which ones you can't get enough of Even more damning is the significantly lower audience score of 27 per cent, where viewers have labelled the show ‘by far the worst thing they ever watched’, with some ‘ridiculous’ scenes. Isobel S said it was the worst season of the Monster series yet, adding: ‘None of it makes sense. Such a fabricated story. By far the worst, which is a huge shame as I am such a massive fan of this series. Absolutely awful if I’m honest.’ Borden, here played by Ella Beatty, was acquitted in real life (Picture: Netflix) ‘Can we stop trying to romanticise murderers?’ Emily asked in her Rotten Tomatoes review. ‘This was a predictable snooze fest wrapped in bad wigs, bad acting and a completely false narrative.’ Another review from Aubrey Jackson said the season ‘lost the plot’, noting it was ‘overly sexualized for no reason’. But not all the comments were dismal, with Rose T writing: ‘Honestly I loved the show. ‘Some scenes were goofy like the puke scene. They really pushed the lesbian girl boss thing, kinda over the top at some times. Definitely give it a watch.’ Deals of the Day Primark's new £14 co-ord has autumn styling on a budget covered Topman’s new-season collection has arrived and prices start at just £10 An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind From £700 MacBooks to discounted iPhones, the best Apple tech for studentsb Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is available to stream on Netflix. Arrow MORE: Ben Shephard branded ‘the man’ after losing temper grilling notorious Tinder Swindler Arrow MORE: Inbetweeners star accidentally leaks movie plot detail during Cameo video Arrow MORE: New Netflix series inspired by cruel 1971 prison experiment is a step too far TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.