Sarah Paulson transforms into Aileen Wuornos in Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story trailer
Sarah Paulson reunites with Ryan Murphy for Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story. (Netflix)
Sarah Paulson is reuniting with Ryan Murphy for Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, set to play infamous serial killer Aileen Wuornos.
The upcoming fourth instalment of Murphy’s Monster series centres on the story of the eponymous Lizzie Borden (Ella Beatty). Borden was tried and acquitted of the 1892 axe murders of her father and stepmother in Massachusetts.
The series is the first to focus on a woman killer, following those on Jeffrey Dahmer, the Menendez Brothers and Ed Gein.
Fifty-one-year-old actress Paulson, one of Murphy’s most frequent collaborators, is set to reunite with the Monster creator. Paulson has starred in numerous seasons of American Horror Story, American Crime Story, Ratched, Feud, and All’s Fair.
Who does Sarah Paulson play in Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story?
The eight-episode show focuses on Ella Beatty’s Lizzie, so who is Paulson playing?
In Murphy’s show, Paulson will be portraying queer serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Wuornos was convicted of six murders committed between 1989 and 1990 along a central Florida highway.
Furthermore, in the trailer, Paulson’s voice delivers a thrilling hint at her role. “No one really knows what happened that day,” a voice says at the end of the trailer, as Paulson interjects: “Oh, I f****** know what happened.”
“Every season of Monster has been an exercise in understanding the person’s psychology,” Beatty told Netflix’s Tudum.
“Are they born or are they made? I knew from the beginning that Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan were really interested in exploring what brings a woman to the point of violence.”
Who is Aileen Wuornos?
Aileen Wuornos was sentenced to death for six of the murders. She was executed in 2002 after spending more than 10 years on Florida’s death row. Her case drew national attention for her unlikely profile, and the court case became a major talking point.
“The show is exploring a legacy of female rage and reaction to the set of circumstances that they are presented with,” Beatty also explained.
“I think there’s a connection [between Borden and Wuornos] that Ryan and Ian were interested in mapping and exploring.”
This isn’t the first time Wuornos’ story has made it to the screen. In Patty Jenkins’s film Monster, Charlize Theron played Wuornos and won an Oscar for her depiction.
Netflix’s 2026 documentary Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers also revisits Wuornos’ story using archival footage and prison interviews.
Was Aileen Wuornos queer?
Wuornos was in a relationship with her girlfriend, Tyria Moore. During her trial, Wuornos referred to Moore as the “love of my life”.
The pair were said to have met at a Daytona Beach gay bar and soon moved in together.
Though the show seems set on Borden, her influence will seemingly carry through the decades as an inspiration for Wuornos.
As the investigation deepened, Moore became entwined. She also cooperated with authorities and helped police attempt to record incriminating statements from Wuornos.
Additionally, Moore later testified against Wuornos in court, which was pivotal to her conviction.
When is Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story out?
Also, you don’t have to wait long for the eight-episode Monster series.
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story premieres on Netflix on September 17.
