Netflix's true-crime anthology Monster is targeting a ten-season run despite receiving mixed reviews from critics. Created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, the series recently premiered a Lizzie Borden installment on September 17, 2026 .
The 45% Rotten Tomatoes score that failed to stop viewership
Netflix's Monster series is proving that critical consensus is secondary to audience engagement. As reported by the source, the anthology has seen viewership explode even as its Rotten Tomatoes scores struggle to reach "Fresh" status.
The series' low critical scores highlight a growing divide between professional reviewers and streaming audiences. While the first season featuring Jeffrey Dahmer and Evan Peters earned a 45% rating, the series continues to thrive on pure engagement rather than critical acclaim.
From Jeffrey Dahmer to Lizzie Borden : The evolution of the V-shaped format
The anthology's "V-shaped" format allows creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan to explore diverse historical figures through a single-killer lens. The show has successfully transitioned from the Menendez brothers, played by Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez, to the recent depiction of Ed Gein starring Charlie Hunnam.
The latest installment, which debuted on September 17, 2026, focuses on the story of Lizzie Borden and stars Ella Beatty. According to the report, this latest season managed a 56% score on Rotten Tomatoes, a slight improvement that suggests the production values remain high even if the narrative reception is mixed.
Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's ten-season curation strategy
Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan are utilizing a specific curation process to maintain the show's momentum. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter,Ian Brennan noted that the creators "toggle between" potential subjects to ensure only the most compelling stories make the cut.
This careful selection process is designed to prevent the series from losing traction over its projected ten-season run. By eliminating candidates that do not feel sufficiently impactful, the production team aims to keep the anthology feeling fresh for its dedicated fan base.
The sustainability of the 'endless supply' of American homicide cases
The long-term viabilty of the Monster franchise depends on the availability of compelling criminal narratives. While Brennan claims there is a "virtually endless supply" of infamous killers to serve as subjects , the show's reliance on American homicide cases may eventually face cultural fatigue.
Several questions remain regarding the limits of this true-crime model. It is currently unverified how Netflix will maintain such high cinematic production values as the series approaches its tenth year, or whether the pool of "comeplling" historical killers will eventually dwindle to the point of diminishing returns.
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