Home / Arts and Entertainment / Lizzie Borden Series: Fact vs. Fiction
Lizzie Borden Series: Fact vs. Fiction
19 Sep
Summary
- Netflix's Lizzie Borden series fictionalizes father's woodworking and sister's testimony.
- No proof Andrew Borden mutilated bodies or was poisoned before murder.
- Bridget and Lizzie's romantic relationship and Bertha Manchester's death are fictionalized.
Ryan Murphy's "Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story" delves into the infamous 1892 murders, but the Netflix series introduces fictional elements. The show depicts Andrew Borden as a woodworker who mutilated bodies, a detail unsupported by historical records. His business, which sold coffins, generated significant wealth through investments.
The series also alters details about Andrew's marriage to Abby, inaccurately portraying the timeline and fabricating events concerning Abby's family. It alleges Lizzie suffered from a medical condition, a claim lacking real-world evidence, though menstrual rags were found after the murders.
Contrary to the series, there's no proof Andrew and Abby were poisoned before their deaths, although they and others fell ill from contaminated food days prior. A pharmacist also alleged Lizzie sought poison, though he denied her request.
The romantic relationship between Lizzie and her maid Bridget, as shown in the series, is unsubstantiated. Additionally, the murder of Bertha Manchester, while real, occurred 10 months after the Borden slayings and was not connected to Lizzie or Bridget.
While the series portrays Lizzie's trial with some accuracy, including the presentation of the victims' skulls, it omits Bridget's testimony. The strained relationship between Lizzie and her sister Emma is depicted, with Emma moving out years later and the sisters never reconciling.
"Monster" connects Lizzie's story to Aileen Wuornos, suggesting inspiration, a link with no historical basis. The creators intended to explore themes of female rage throughout history.
