The Ryan Murphy anthology seriesMonsterhas reportedly found its new subject for season 4. Co-created by Murphy and Ian Brennan, each season of the series focuses on a different murderer. Season 1 was titledMonster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,with season 2 asMonsters:The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. Both seasons that have been released have been met with controversy.
Now,Varietyis reporting thatMonsterseason 4 will center on Lizzie Borden. At the time of writing, season 4 has not been officially renewed, with representatives for Netflix and Murphy declining to comment toVariety.The season will reportedly begin filming in the fall with no release window or casting announced.
What This Means For Monster Season 4
The Season Will Go Further Back In Time
Monsterseason 3will go back before the events of Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez Brothers. The upcoming installment will star Charlie Hunnam as the infamous killer Ed Gein. Gein’s crimes were committed between 1947-1957.Gein is known throughout pop cultureas being the inspiration behind Norman Bates inPsycho, Leatherface inThe Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and Buffalo Bill inThe Silence of the Lambs.
Lizzie Borden is famous for being acquitted of the axe murders of her father and stepmotherin 1892. Abby Borden was killed and sustained 18 hits to the head. Andrew Borden was stuck approximately 10 times in the same house.
The widespread attention of the trial even led to a nursery rhyme:Lizzie Borden took an axe, And gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done, She gave her father forty-one.
Lizzie Borden has seen her story adapted beforewith multiple musicals, an episode ofAlfred Hitchcock Presents, and was portrayed by Christina Ricci inLizzie Borden Took an Axand the follow-up series,The Lizzie Borden Chronicles.
Our Take On Monster Tackling Lizzie Borden
It Should Be Less Controversial
Monsterseason 4 should be a less controversial take than previous seasons. The series has received a range of criticism, from romanticizing the crimes of Dahmer to dramatizing the Menendez Brothers case, especially when public opinion was shifting.
By going back to the 1950s,Monsterseason 3 avoids the problem of so many people still being alive who have direct connections to the other killers that have been depicted. If season 4 goes back to the late 1800s, that also clears the season for some of the ghoulish criticism the series has received to date.
As Lizzie Borden’s story has been told many times before, it runs less of a risk, as audiences will likely be aware of her from previous shows and movies whenMonsterseason 4 is released on Netflix.
Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Cast
Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer story is another limited crime drama biography series created by Ian Brennan and Ryan Murphy, starring Evan Peters in the titular role. This series tells the story of Jeffrey Dahmer from the perspective of surviving victims while exploring the missteps taken by the police that allowed Dahmer to continue his three-decade-long killing spree, leading to the murder of at least seventeen young men. In addition, the show covers the earlier years of Dahmer’s life, including the difficult divorce between his parents, his murderous origins back in high school, and his demise in prison.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
This true crime drama delves into the infamous case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, two brothers who were convicted of murdering their parents. The series examines the complex family dynamics and legal battles that captivated the nation, highlighting the motivations and repercussions of their actions.
