Netflix's true-crime anthology hit Monster has never strictly adhered to historical accuracy, often bending facts to explore the psychological depths of its dark subjects. Following previous installments that captivated global audiences, star Charlie Hunnam takes on a central role in the upcoming fourth season centering on the infamous Lizzie Borden case. This time, the actor has introduced a striking character trait that completely breaks the historical record.
What Happened
In the fourth season of Monster, Hunnam plays Andrew Borden, the father of Lizzie Borden, who tragically met his end in the notorious 1892 axe attack in Fall River, Massachusetts. Viewers watching the new episodes will immediately notice that Hunnam's version of Andrew speaks with a distinct, recurring stutter.
However, historical archives, court transcripts, and biographical records contain zero evidence that the real Andrew Borden suffered from any speech impediment. The prominent stutter is entirely a creative choice made by Hunnam during production, diverging sharply from the historical persona of the wealthy and stern New England businessman.
Why It Matters
In a recent interview, Hunnam explained that the original shooting script featured just a single fleeting moment where Andrew stutters under extreme emotional pressure. Instead of leaving it as a one-off reaction, the actor decided to expand this minor detail into a defining, persistent characteristic for the role.
Hunnam views the stutter as a psychosomatic reaction to the deep emotional suppression, rigid Victorian era expectations, and severe personal trauma defining Andrew's life. Rather than trying to evoke simple sympathy for a man historically remembered as austere and uncompromising, the actor uses the vocal tic to highlight the internal fractures of a character consumed by repressed anger and domestic tension.
For Netflix, creative liberties in the Monster franchise remain a double-edged sword. While artistic choices frequently draw scrutiny from historians and descendants of victims, they simultaneously generate massive cultural discourse and engagement, cementing the anthology as a top-tier streaming phenomenon.
What's Next
As Ryan Murphy's anthology continues to drive massive global viewing hours for Netflix, audience focus shifts toward how these localized character dynamics play out across the season. Fans tuning in will see how Hunnam's calculated vocal choice directly influences the claustrophobic family interactions leading up to the infamous murders, testing the boundaries between factual history and psychological drama.
