Warning: There’s some gruesome stuff in this trailer, including blood and implied assault.

Tomorrow is the 126th anniversary of the infamous Lizzie Borden case, in which Lizzie Borden was accused of killing her father and stepmother with an axe in Fall River, Massachusetts, 1892. The case which captured the attention of the American public for its mystery, gruesome details, and horror has been the subject of much speculation and retelling—largely because Lizzie was acquitted of the murders.

In Craig William Macneill’s newest thriller film Lizzie, which stars Chloë Sevigny and Kristen Stewart as Lizzie Borden and Bridget Sullivan (the Borden’s live-in maid), the film portrays a sinister and frightening father and a lesbian relationship between Lizzie and Bridget. (This was also the case in Ed McBain’s 1984 novel Lizzie.) There are many elements of the Borden story that those familiar with the murders will recognize in the trailer: Andrew Borden’s killing of the pigeons, the axe, etc.

The synopsis reads:

“Academy Award® nominee Chloë Sevigny (Boys Don’t Cry, “Big Love”) stars as Lizzie Borden, the notorious woman at the heart of one of the most enduring mysteries in American history. After a lifetime of loneliness, Lizzie finds a kindred spirit in housemaid Bridget Sullivan (Kristen Stewart) and their secret intimacy sparks an unthinkable act. Director Craig William Macneill (The Boy (2015), “Channel Zero: Candle Cove”) explores the days leading up to the savage crimes in a dark tale of repression, exploitation and thwarted dreams.”

The film also stars Jamey Sheridan, Fiona Shaw, Kim Dickens, Denis O’Hare and Jeff Perry.

The story we see in the trailer, for me, somewhat echoes that of Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden which I loved. The reviews seem to suggest that while we might think we know the Lizzie Borden story, there’ll be a lot more happening and I’m eager to see how that plays out.

Lizzie comes to theaters September 14, 2018. What did you think of the trailer?

(image: screencap)

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