Lizzie Borden is a name that has become synonymous with the macabre and the mysterious. She was a woman accused of a gruesome crime that shocked the nation in the late 19th century. The story of Lizzie Borden and the murders she allegedly committed has become legendary, with many still debating her guilt or innocence to this day. On August 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden, Lizzie's father and stepmother, were brutally murdered in their home in Fall River, Massachusetts. The case immediately attracted attention due to its gruesome nature and the fact that the prime suspect was Lizzie herself. It is said that Andrew was hacked to death with a hatchet, while Abby was killed in a similar manner later that day.
The professor introduces the day's topic to his remaining students, the folklore surrounding Lizzie Borden. As luck would have it, even though there are only six students left in the class, two of them happen to be experts in all things Lizzie. One is a guy named Ryan who knows all there is to know on the subject simply because it happens to interest him. The other is a girl named Cassy, whose fascination with Miss Borden stems from the fact that she is certifiably fucking insane. The merest mention of the Lizzle Bordizzle causes her to drift off and have daydreams about the 1892 murders, while visions of her teacher and classmates chant "Kill! Kill! Blood! Blood!"
Lizzie s physical appearance is supposed to remain a secret in order to make the audience wonder, once the killings begin, just who is really behind them. It raises the question, how could anyone accidentally find themselves on a college campus, enrolled in a class in the middle of July without realizing it.
It is said that Andrew was hacked to death with a hatchet, while Abby was killed in a similar manner later that day. The investigation into the murders was full of twists and turns. Lizzie, who was 32 years old at the time, was arrested and stood trial for the gruesome crime.
New Lizzie Borden Doc Suggests Her Fall River Family Was Cursed By a Dark Spirit
Just when you thought you'd heard it all about the Lizzie Borden case, a new documentary has hit Discovery+ that might change your perspective.
A Shock Docs special The Curse of Lizzie Borden premieres on Discovery+ today and follows paranormal investigators Dave Schrader (of Travel Channel's The Holzer Files), Chris Fleming, Borden family descendant Sam Baltrusis and New Bedford resident and Whaling City Ghosts founder Luann Joly as they set up shop in the infamous Borden home in Fall River.
Now before we dive into some of the details of the documentary, I must put out a disclaimer: I moved to Massachusetts about six months ago, and had not heard a whole lot about the famous ax murders prior. I still have yet to visit the house for myself, so I went into watching The Curse of Lizzie Borden with very limited knowledge of what happened on August 4, 1892.
The documentary kicks off with background knowledge about the murders and plenty of bloody ax-swinging reenactment scenes. But as the investigators dive into the intricacies of the Borden family, witchcraft and occult connections, and the history of death and murder within extended family, the looming possibility of a dark, demonic spirit becomes the doc's main focus.
Lizzie was acquitted in the Borden trial that the documentary notes as "the O.J. Simpson trial of its time," but if she did physically commit them, was she possessed by a demon that caused her to act outside her own will?
The team uses paranormal investigative equipment inside the Borden home and inside the Freetown State Forest where Lizzie's uncle, John Morse, used to live, in an attempt to connect to the family and the supposed demon. They finally come together for a seance inside Lizzie's bedroom in an attempt to rid the family of the curse that has haunted their family for generations.
Courtesy Discovery+ Courtesy Discovery+ loading.If you're a little sensitive to spooky images like I am, here's a heads up: you may want to avoid watching this one alone, in the dark, and/or right before you try to go to bed. Some of these demonic images will stick in your brain and not want to leave.
The Curse of Lizzie Borden is now available to watch on the Discovery+ streaming service.
However, despite the evidence against her, including conflicting stories and a suspicious alibi, she was acquitted by a jury. The trial became a media sensation, captivating the public and forever cementing Lizzie Borden's name in the annals of true crime history. But despite her acquittal, Lizzie Borden was never able to escape the shadow of suspicion. She became a social outcast in her community and was shunned by many. The murders and her alleged involvement in them became the defining event of her life, and she was forever known as the woman who got away with murder. The curse of Lizzie Borden is not only about the crime itself but also about the lasting impact it had on her life. She lived out her days in relative isolation, plagued by the notoriety of the murders and the suspicion that followed her everywhere. Even after her death in 1927, Lizzie Borden's name continued to be synonymous with murder and intrigue. The story of Lizzie Borden has been the subject of numerous books, movies, and plays, each adding their own interpretation to the legend. Many theories have been put forth about what really happened on that fateful day in August 1892, but the truth remains elusive. The curse of Lizzie Borden lingers on, haunting the memory of a woman accused but never convicted of one of the most heinous crimes in American history..
Reviews for "Haunted History: The Curse of Lizzie Borden"
1. John - 1 star
This movie was an absolute waste of time. The storyline was confusing and disjointed, making it hard to follow. The acting was terrible and completely lacked any emotional depth. The constant jump scares felt forced and predictable, taking away any sense of suspense. Overall, "The Curse of Lizzie Borden" failed to deliver any scares or thrills and left me feeling disappointed and unsatisfied.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "The Curse of Lizzie Borden", but it fell flat in many aspects. The pacing of the movie was off, with slow and dragging scenes that made me lose interest. The plot was unoriginal and lacked any real depth or substance. The characters were poorly developed, leaving me feeling disconnected from their struggles. The few scares it attempted were mostly jump scares that felt cheap and overused. Unfortunately, this movie failed to live up to its potential and I left the theater feeling underwhelmed.
3. Mark - 2 stars
I found "The Curse of Lizzie Borden" to be more laughable than frightening. The dialogue was cliché and filled with unnecessary exposition. The special effects were cheesy and unrealistic, making it hard to take any of the scares seriously. The movie relied too heavily on jump scares, while neglecting to build a truly eerie atmosphere. The performances were mediocre at best, lacking any real depth or conviction. Overall, this movie failed to deliver as a horror film and left me feeling unsatisfied.
4. Emily - 1 star
I have to say that "The Curse of Lizzie Borden" was one of the worst horror movies I've ever seen. The plot was incredibly predictable and lacked any originality. The characters made ridiculous and illogical decisions that left me rolling my eyes. The attempts at scares were weak and uninspiring, failing to create any real tension. The ending was anticlimactic and left me feeling unfulfilled. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this disappointment of a film.