Monster Cast Finds Comedy in Lizzie Borden Ax Murders
Variety reports on the cast of the latest "Monster" season, which dramatizes the Lizzie Borden story with a surprising dose of comedy. Charlie Hunnam, who plays Lizzie's father, shared that he took up ax chopping as a hobby before filming, a skill that came in handy for his character, an undertaker who collects axes.
The season stars Ella Beatty as Lizzie, a naive young woman whose world expands with the arrival of a new housemaid, played by Vicky Krieps. Beatty told Variety she felt an immediate connection to the complex character, saying, "I understand this person."
Rebecca Hall plays Lizzie's cruel stepmother, Abby. Hall described the joy of playing a villain, noting the character's dark humor and the challenge of blending scary and funny tones. She said the role gave her license to create a unique character separate from the historical record.
According to the outlet, the cast approached the infamous ax-murder tale with levity, exploring the creation of monsters rather than pure darkness. Hall added that even her sadistic character is a product of her environment, a "complete and utter mess" trying to keep up appearances.
