Director Max Winkler Reveals Why Sarah Paulson’s Final Scene Made Him Cry in 'Monster' Season 4

Key points

• Max Winkler directed six of the eight episodes in 'Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story,' including the premiere and finale.
• Winkler stated that he cried while watching Sarah Paulson perform the scene where Aileen Wuornos eats her final meal before execution.
• The finale features an imagined afterlife scene where Wuornos is greeted by Lizzie Borden and her lover Maggie, a narrative choice inspired by the film 'All That Jazz.'
• The series juxtaposes the 1892 acquittal of Lizzie Borden with the 1992 conviction and execution of Aileen Wuornos to highlight societal views on female violence.
• Winkler described the season as 'fun' to make due to the comedic and chaotic nature of 1890s dialogue, contrasting with the isolation of previous seasons.

Background

This is the fourth season of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's 'Monster' franchise on Netflix, which debuted at No. 1 on the platform's Top TV list. Previous seasons focused on Jeffrey Dahmer and Ed Gein. Sarah Paulson, who previously starred in 'American Horror Story,' took on the role of Aileen Wuornos after a period of limited film opportunities, as noted in earlier coverage. The season premiered on September 17, 2026.

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter emphasizes the emotional impact of Paulson's performance and Winkler's directorial choices, particularly the visual contrast between the 'ornate' afterlife and the 'antiseptic' execution room. The Washington Post focuses on the historical reinterpretation of Lizzie Borden's motives, noting that the series explores the 'hot maid' theory and the changing perceptions of female capability over 130 years. Oxygen highlights the fictional connection between Wuornos and Borden, clarifying that while the series depicts Wuornos visiting Borden's home, there is no historical evidence for this interaction. All sources agree that the season uses the two women's stories to explore broader themes of gender and violence, but they differ in emphasis: THR on the artistic execution, WaPo on the historical narrative, and Oxygen on the factual vs. fictional distinction.

Why it matters

The season's success underscores the cultural relevance of true crime narratives that humanize perpetrators through the lens of gender and societal constraints. By linking two women separated by a century, the series invites viewers to reconsider historical judgments and the enduring nature of patriarchal oppression. The strong viewership and critical attention indicate a growing audience appetite for complex, character-driven true crime dramas that challenge traditional narratives of 'monsters' as purely evil entities.

What to watch

Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan have indicated plans for up to 10 seasons of 'Monster,' with three potential options for the next installment. Max Winkler is currently working on a pilot in New York City unrelated to the 'Monster' franchise. The series is expected to continue exploring different historical figures and their psychological profiles, potentially expanding the scope of the anthology beyond the current focus on female killers.