Lizzie Borden Took an Ax
  • Network: Lifetime
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 25, 2014
User Score
6.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 10
  3. Negative: 2 out of 10

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User Reviews

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  1. Zalsamar
    Feb 20, 2014
    2
    boredom. Was looking for more real horror drama, not this. I couldn't make it through more than 20 minutes without stepping away and coming back later. I learned a whole lot more and had way more fun when I visited her museum and her house.
  2. BogKid
    Jan 25, 2014
    6
    Pretty much a standard documentary, but an interesting one. It provides a good background story on the pre-murder Borden family. Two modern day detectives then use scientific forensic methods to re-examine the murder and the family circumstances and relationships coming to some conclusions which I had never heard before. The title sounds like sensational junk but it is actually anPretty much a standard documentary, but an interesting one. It provides a good background story on the pre-murder Borden family. Two modern day detectives then use scientific forensic methods to re-examine the murder and the family circumstances and relationships coming to some conclusions which I had never heard before. The title sounds like sensational junk but it is actually an intelligent and informative show.… Expand
  3. CameraBounceGod
    Feb 21, 2015
    2
    its great casting and light on the incest but other than that it was annoying that someone said "shes pretty she couldn't possibly have committed a crime" ......making it the most annoying thing over the "commoners have always been ugly" line from Desolation of Smaug
  4. A_So_Horror_Fan
    May 23, 2015
    9
    My thoughts: First off, forget even trying to compare this film with the classic Elizabeth Montgomery movie “The Legend Of Lizzie Borden” because there is nothing there that can compare other than, maybe the stylized interpretations of the facts themselves. Montgomery gives a fab performance that does a good job of separating her portrayal here from her very famous persona on ‘Bewitched’.My thoughts: First off, forget even trying to compare this film with the classic Elizabeth Montgomery movie “The Legend Of Lizzie Borden” because there is nothing there that can compare other than, maybe the stylized interpretations of the facts themselves. Montgomery gives a fab performance that does a good job of separating her portrayal here from her very famous persona on ‘Bewitched’. With equal respect Christina Ricci does a great job of creating a very emotionally charged, yet sociopathic-driven portrayal of Borden that brings more life to Lizzie Borden than I anticipated or even expected. It has been common belief that it was more than just selfish desire that drove Lizzie Borden to kill. She carried with her a dark passenger that created a sinister, cold, disconnected aspect to Lizzie Borden that was probably an unmentioned issue from early in her childhood. Ricci gives us that in calm, calculated edified gesture.

    The stories atmosphere is a gothic blend of surrealism and psychological narrative wrapped around early Americana and polished off with modern folksy, indie rock sounds that are as dark as the story and characters within it. It gives “Lizzie Borden Took An Ax” a modern, fresh energy that excites the viewer. Now there are still down moments within the film that create momentary lulls, but nothing that causes the movie to completely stall. Bonus aspect that really makes this movie watchable is the visionary, creative way the director chose to tell the story balancing between stoic character interactions, and shocking, visceral moments of brutality that are honest to the murder scene’s “truth”. This movie definitely delivered on giving me a great Lizzie Borden film. A definite watch!    … Expand
  5. laceymikesmom
    Sep 25, 2015
    10
    I LOVED this show!!! Please don't cancel it! I looked forward too each & every episode! I personally felt the show was brilliant! Lizzie being just a slip of a girl, yet she also is an ingenious fearless little bad @ss! Whats not to love about it!

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 3 out of 12
  1. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Jan 27, 2014
    67
    After hewing reasonably close to the record, at least for the trial, the film goes off the rails in its postscript.
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  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    Jan 27, 2014
    30
    Both actors [Gregg Henry and Billy Campbell] do their level best, as does Clea DuVall as Lizzie's dubious but loyal sister Emma. But they all seem to be participating in a very different movie from Ricci, who flounces, flops and smiles knowingly but offers no insight against the pounding backbeat, like a CW heroine slumming it on Lifetime.
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  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    Jan 27, 2014
    40
    The movie itself apparently isn’t sure the murders themselves are lurid enough. So it adds a few things that didn’t happen, plus some 21st-century music.
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