Last Updated on September 11, 2026 by Scottie Brockenshire
Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's Monster anthology turns its lens on its first female killer in Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, the fourth installment of the Netflix true-crime series. All eight episodes drop at once worldwide on September 17, but Netflix is still region-locked: if you travel or live in a market with a thin library, the show can vanish from your watchlist the moment you connect. A VPN that routes your connection through the United States fixes that in about three minutes and keeps every episode a tap away on any device.
Table of Contents
How to Watch Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story on Netflix [Short Steps]
Quick Steps
- Sign up for Surfshark VPN and connect to a server in the United States.
- Open Netflix, log in, and keep a subscription active if you don't have one already.
- Search for Monster and press play on The Lizzie Borden Story when it lands on September 17.
Why You May Need a VPN for Netflix
Netflix runs in more than 190 countries, but every country gets its own catalog, and licensing deals decide what each library holds. Monster is a Netflix original, so the show appears in most regional libraries on launch day, yet the United States catalog stays the definitive one, and a few markets carry the series in a reduced form or skip it entirely. Travelers feel this the hardest: Netflix locks your library to the region you connect from, so a business trip or a long vacation can swap your carefully curated watchlist for a thin local selection overnight.
On top of that, Netflix actively detects and blocks VPN traffic, which is why an outdated provider usually gets cut off mid-episode. Current-generation services like Surfshark VPN rotate their server IPs regularly and keep working where older VPNs stumble. Connecting through a US server makes your subscription behave exactly as it would in New York, whether you are abroad, living in a market Netflix has not reached, or simply want the fullest version of the show.
Availability shifts as new distribution agreements land. Check Netflix's official help pages for your region before subscribing, and review the service's Terms of Service along with your local laws on using a VPN for streaming.
About Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story

Created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, the Monster anthology became one of Netflix's biggest true-crime franchises with the Jeffrey Dahmer season, which passed one billion viewing hours in its first 60 days and won an Emmy for Niecy Nash-Betts. The Menendez brothers installment racked up 11 Emmy nominations, and the Ed Gein story hit 12.2 million views in its first three days and reached number one in 11 countries. The Lizzie Borden season is the first to center on an alleged female perpetrator, and it makes the jump to a very different kind of horror: the slow, suffocating pressure of a wealthy Victorian household.
The story covers the August 4, 1892, hatchet murders of Andrew and Abby Borden in Fall River, Massachusetts, and the trial of Andrew's daughter Lizzie, who was acquitted despite the case becoming a national obsession. Ella Beatty stars as Lizzie, with Charlie Hunnam as her father Andrew, Rebecca Hall as stepmother Abby, and Vicky Krieps as the family housemaid Bridget Sullivan. Jessica Barden, Joey Pollari, Billie Lourd, and Sarah Paulson round out the ensemble, with Paulson appearing as serial killer Aileen Wuornos in a season that reaches beyond one crime.

Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story: Cast and What to Expect
Every Monster season is a self-contained story, so you don't need to watch Dahmer, the Menendez brothers, or Ed Gein to follow Lizzie Borden. The show walks through the murder, the scandal, and the courtroom circus that turned an accused killer into an American legend, while Murphy and Brennan push the anthology into its most explicitly feminist territory yet. Early press coverage describes a blood-soaked story that reads like Ryan Murphy doing Cinderella, with a central relationship between Lizzie and her maid Bridget driving much of the drama.
All eight episodes release at the same time on September 17, which makes the season a perfect weekend binge. The series anchors its central mystery in the real unsolved case, so expect the familiar beats of the true-crime genre, but told through a cast that treats the Victorian setting as more than costumes. If you want to watch it the moment it drops, connect your VPN to the United States before launch day, refresh the app, and the season should appear in full.
Quick VPN Pick for Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story
- Surfshark VPN: the value pick for Netflix, with US servers everywhere and unlimited simultaneous devices.
- NordVPN: a fast second choice with a huge server map and a strong streaming reputation.
- ExpressVPN: a dependable third option if you want a larger network in one place.
How to Watch Monster on Different Devices
Android Devices
- Install Surfshark VPN from the Play Store and connect to the United States.
- Open the Netflix app, sign in, and start watching Monster.
iPhone and iPad
- Install Surfshark VPN from the App Store and connect to a US server.
- Launch Netflix and search for the series in your home library.
PC / Windows / Mac
- Connect Surfshark VPN to a US server, then open Netflix in any browser.
- Stream in up to 4K where your plan and connection allow it.
Smart TV and Streaming Sticks
- Set up the VPN at the router level, or install its app on the TV or stick when available.
- Launch Netflix, sign in, and press play on the new season.
Apple TV and Roku
- Install the Netflix app from the store and connect the device to your VPN-protected network.
- Sign in and start the season, or cast from your phone if the app is missing in your region.
Where Is Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story Streaming?
Monster is a Netflix original, which means it streams exclusively on Netflix around the world, with the United States catalog holding the definitive version. Since the series belongs to Netflix itself, every country where the service operates should carry all four seasons, which is more than you can say for most licensed shows. The catch is the region you connect from: when you travel, Netflix swaps your library to match your location, and in the handful of markets where the service does not run at all, there is no way in without a VPN. The American route fixes both cases in a single step.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story come out on Netflix?
All eight episodes release worldwide on September 17, 2026, and drop at the same time. The previous season, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, followed the same all-at-once release pattern.
Is it included with a normal Netflix subscription?
Yes, every episode is included with any Netflix plan, including the ad-supported tier. You only pay more for Premium if you want 4K streaming and extra device streams.
Do I need to watch the earlier Monster seasons first?
No. Each season of the anthology tells a self-contained true-crime story. You can start with Lizzie Borden and catch up on Dahmer, the Menendez brothers, and Ed Gein later if you enjoy the format.
Does Netflix block VPN users?
Netflix is one of the most aggressive platforms at detecting VPN traffic, so a weak or outdated provider usually gets cut off. Current-generation services like Surfshark VPN update their server IPs regularly, which is why they keep working for this title where older VPNs stumble.
Why is Monster not showing in my region?
If the title is missing, you are likely connected to a Netflix region with a reduced catalog, or one where the service does not operate at all. Connect your VPN to a US server, refresh the app, and the season should appear in full.
Final Thoughts
Monster has built its reputation on turning familiar true-crime cases into prestige binge television, and the Lizzie Borden season brings the franchise its most original angle yet. The only real obstacle left for most fans is geography, and a VPN removes it in minutes. Connect to the United States, open Netflix on September 17, and let the axe fall.









