Netflix has released the first official trailer for Monster: The Story of Lizzie Borden, a miniseries detailing an infamous unsolved American axe murder case.
The preview, published on the streaming platform's official YouTube channel, provides the first full look at the fourth installment of the true-crime anthology series created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan.
The miniseries will premiere globally on Netflix on September 17, 2026. The storyline centres on the brutal axe murders of Andrew Jackson Borden and his second wife, Abby Durfee Gray, at their residence in Fall River, Massachusetts.
Lizzie Borden, the daughter of Andrew Jackson Borden, became the prime suspect in the 1892 double killing. The case captivated public attention across the United States and remains legally unsolved.
Trailer details and weapon choices
The official trailer highlights a dark and oppressive narrative set against an elegant Victorian aesthetic. The visual presentation incorporates period costumes, grand mansions, and candlelit interiors to establish an atmosphere centered on revenge, blood, and mystery.
The footage depicts Borden experiencing an oppressive family structure and institutional environment that she perceived as a prison. Driven to escape her domestic situation, she formulated a plan to kill her father and stepmother.
In the preview, Borden explains her choice of murder weapon, stating that she discarded alternative options because they lacked sufficient force. She rejected a knife as too easy and ruled out a rifle as too sweet before choosing an axe.
Victorian gender bias in the investigation
The trailer also focuses on how gender expectations influenced the murder investigation. Detectives at the time quickly ruled out a refined woman as a potential suspect, operating under the belief that such extreme violence could only be the work of a man.
Borden recognized that social bias and used the prevailing attitudes of investigators to her advantage during the inquiry. Actress Ella Beatty stars in the lead role, portraying Borden throughout the miniseries.
Production history and release schedule
Netflix previously shared promotional images and confirmed the release date prior to publishing the official trailer. The company expects the show to be one of its primary releases during the second half of 2026.
The project follows earlier entries in the Monster anthology series, which previously covered the cases of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez brothers. Creators Murphy and Brennan serve as executive producers on the franchise.
