Netflix’s Chilling Monster Trailer Sparks Major Fan Theory About Sarah Paulson’s Aileen Wuornos
Netflix’s latest trailer for Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story has given fans plenty of disturbing footage to dissect, but it is one unexpected appearance at the very end that has sparked the biggest theory yet.
The new season of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s Monster anthology turns its attention to one of America’s most notorious historical murder cases. Previous seasons have explored Jeffrey Dahmer, Erik and Lyle Menendez and Ed Gein. This time, the series follows Lizzie Borden, the woman accused of killing her father and stepmother with a hatchet in 1892.
Netflix has now offered a fuller look at what viewers can expect, and the trailer does little to soften the horror surrounding the case.
Ella Beatty takes on the role of Lizzie Borden
Ella Beatty stars as Lizzie Borden, the daughter of Hollywood actors Warren Beatty and Annette Bening.
The trailer shows Beatty’s Borden surrounded by the grim circumstances that eventually led to the deaths of her parents. Charlie Hunnam, who previously portrayed Ed Gein in the third season of Monster, returns to the anthology as Lizzie’s father, Andrew Borden.
The new footage also gives viewers a closer look at Vicky Krieps, who has a particularly unusual role in the series.
Krieps plays the family housemaid, Maggie Sullivan, as well as Elizabeth Bathory, the notorious 16th-century figure who has been described as an alleged serial killer. In the trailer, Bathory appears to Lizzie and encourages her toward the murder of her parents.
Krieps previously appeared in The Ed Gein Story, where she played Ilse Koch, another historical figure presented as an influence on the central character.
Sarah Paulson’s surprise appearance has fans speculating
The final moments of the trailer have generated a very different kind of reaction.
The footage suddenly moves away from the period setting of the Borden murders. A cardboard cutout of Lizzie Borden can be seen in the background, suggesting that the scene takes place in the actual Borden house, which has since become a place that members of the public can visit. The property is still widely referred to as the most haunted house in the United States.
Then Sarah Paulson appears as Aileen Wuornos.
Paulson, a familiar face from several Ryan Murphy productions, plays the notorious serial killer whose crimes took place between 1989 and 1990. Wuornos killed seven men during that period, and her case has since been explored in numerous documentaries and films.
One of the best-known portrayals came in the 2003 film Monster, in which Charlize Theron played Wuornos.
Paulson’s appearance in the new Netflix trailer immediately led some viewers to wonder whether the scene could be more than a brief connection between two stories.
Fans think Wuornos could point to the next season
Some viewers believe Paulson’s appearance may be an early hint at what Netflix has planned for a future installment of Monster.
One fan wrote: “Can’t wait!! So excited. Oh is the ending on the teaser of the next monster? I feel like it is!!”
Another appeared equally convinced, commenting: “Oh, I know what series they’re definitely doing next with Sarah Paulson.”
Others were focused on the trailer’s darker tone rather than what it might mean for the future.
“This looks absolutely chilling,” one viewer said.
Another added: “Hmm this looks horrific and I am liking it!”
A further reaction read: “Netflix really knows how to make historical true crime feel terrifying. This one looks seriously dark.”
The theory remains speculation for now. Netflix has confirmed that Paulson is playing Aileen Wuornos, but it has not revealed how much of the character will appear in The Lizzie Borden Story or whether her appearance could be connected to a future season.
Netflix’s official information confirms that Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is the fourth installment of the anthology, with Ella Beatty, Charlie Hunnam, Vicky Krieps, Rebecca Hall, Billie Lourd, Jessica Barden and Sarah Paulson among its cast.
The eight-episode season will arrive on Netflix on September 17, 2026.