‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story’ Hits 12.1 Million Views as Ryan Murphy’s Anthology Thrives

Ryan Murphy’s true-crime anthology series has established itself as one of Netflix’s most dependable ratings generators, consistently attracting large audiences despite ongoing critical skepticism. Each new chapter arrives with the weight of the franchise’s legacy, prompting both fans and industry observers to wonder if the trend of blockbuster debuts will persist.

That question has been answered for the anthology’s fourth installment, which premiered on the platform earlier this month, exploring one of America’s most notorious and debated criminal cases. Given the franchise’s strong performance in the past, expectations were already high leading up to its release.

‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story’ premiered with 12.1 million views within its first four days on Netflix, according to the streaming service’s latest Top 10 data. The season emerged as the most-watched title globally across both series and films for the week of September 14, making it into the Top 10 in 89 countries.

This debut aligns closely with the franchise’s recent performance. ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story’ opened to 12.2 million views in 2025, while ‘The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ debuted to 12.3 million views in 2024, placing this latest installment within the same range as its immediate predecessors.

The original ‘Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’ remains the franchise’s peak, having opened to approximately 22.3 million views back in 2022, translated from its original hours-watched metric before Netflix changed its measurement system. Nevertheless, landing so close to its two most recent predecessors confirms that the anthology continues to attract substantial audiences season after season.

This fourth season focuses on Lizzie Borden, portrayed by Ella Beatty, who was tried and acquitted for the 1892 axe murders of her father and stepmother in Fall River, Massachusetts. This season marks the first installment of the anthology to spotlight an alleged female perpetrator, setting it apart from the previous three seasons.

The cast also features Vicky Krieps as Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan, the Borden family’s live-in maid, alongside Charlie Hunnam, Rebecca Hall, Billie Lourd, Jessica Barden, Joey Pollari, and Sarah Paulson rounding out the ensemble. Created by Ian Brennan, the series was announced in July 2025, with Beatty cast in the title role that same month before production commenced in Los Angeles that September.

Despite the impressive viewership, ‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story’ follows a familiar trend for the franchise regarding critical reception. The season currently holds a 42% rating with critics and a 57% rating with audiences, continuing a pattern of polarized reviews that has characterized the anthology since its inception.

This disparity between audience engagement and critical scores has become a hallmark of Murphy’s true-crime output, with reviewers frequently voicing concerns about the franchise’s tone, pacing, and the ethical dilemmas involved in dramatizing real-life tragedies. Nevertheless, audiences have shown no signs of waning interest.

Sarah Paulson, Ella Beatty, Jessie Lee, and Vicky Krieps throw one crazy dance party in Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story. pic.twitter.com/6N62qvWPEg

— Netflix (@netflix) September 22, 2026

‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story’ wasn’t the only title creating a buzz on Netflix’s charts that week. YA drama ‘Crew Girl’ secured the number 2 spot, more than doubling its debut viewership and earning a season 2 renewal, while ‘The Gentlemen’ season 2 rounded out the top three with 6 million views in its third week.

Given the franchise’s consistent performance regardless of critical feedback, it’s evident that Murphy’s true-crime anthology remains one of Netflix’s most reliable draws as it moves forward with future installments.

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