Lizzie Borden Took an Ax

TV-14

2014

1h 30m

Drama

List

40%

15 Reviews

Tomatometer

35%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

In 1892, Lizzie Borden (Christina Ricci) stands trial for the brutal murder of her father and stepmother.

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Giorgio G

After her excellent flawless performance in this movie, the miniseries tops it all up, coming to an unexpected, but well thought of end; naturally after many more gruesome murders. I loved the movie as well as the miniseries, especially as I consider her acting in this role one the best of her career.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/25/23

Full Review

steve d

A great version with strong preformances and some interesting theories.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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jorge g

Tells the fascinating story of Lizzie Borden. Ricci does an adequate job but looks miscast for the role (considering the real Borden's looks and demeanour). Duvall on the other hand is excellent. There are definitely cons, like the horribly out of place 21st century music, or the repetitive clips of axe-swinging, but overall it's a quite watchable film with significant historical accuracy.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Well made and pretty authentic, but the music was an odd choice.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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Audience Member

I think the writing is pretty good, and the costumes and aesthetic are incredible. They completely removed Lizzie's uncle from the narrative. My major gripe with it is the music. Their music choice is odd. They ise all these rock n roll songs and it just doesnt fit.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

From Lifetime comes the TV movie Lizzie Borden Took an Ax, a chilling drama about the notorious killer. Christina Ricci stars as Lizzie Borden, a New England socialite who feels oppressed and resentful toward her parents, and when they are brutally murdered she finds herself as the prime suspect. Told as a murder mystery, there are hints at a possible third party committing the murders, or that Lizzie had a psychotic break and was unaware of what she had done. However, the writing can be a little weak at times as the courtroom drama isn't exactly riveting. Yet the costumes and sets are especially well-done and look authentic to the time period. And the soundtrack, which is made up of modern alternative rock, offers an interesting juxtaposition to the visual aesthetic. Lizzie Borden Took an Ax meanders a bit, but overall it's a suspenseful psychological thriller.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

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Nick Gomez

Director

Christina Ricci

Lizzie Borden

Billy Campbell

Andrew Jennings

Clea Duvall

Emma

Stephen McHattie

Mr. Borden

Sara Botsford

Actor

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Chelsea Steiner

Autostraddle

Whenever any of the characters in this movie talk about the murder, we see the same quick shots of bloody axes and bodies.

Jun 12, 2018

Full Review

David Hinckley

New York Daily News

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.

Rated: 2/5

Jan 27, 2014

Full Review

Mary McNamara

Los Angeles Times

The movie ends on such a note as to cause the audience to wonder how long it will take before "A," of Pretty Little Liars fame, starts leaving Lizzie Borden an incriminating text or two.

Jan 27, 2014

Full Review

Marisa LaScala

PopMatters

Lifetime's made-for-TV movie Lizzie Borden Took an Axe covers the events of the murder and ensuing trial, but doesn't really get any deeper into the crime than the schoolyard chant does.

Rated: 3/10

May 5, 2014

Full Review

Paul Chambers

Movie Chambers

Included are the trial and all the trimmings. What's missing is the horror of the event. Except for a few shots of dear old daddy's caved-in face, there's not much gore, even for a TV movie.

Rated: C

May 4, 2014

Full Review

Rebecca Murray

Showbiz Junkies

There's a too-quick and convenient wrap-up to the film, but that's the only real sour note Lizzie Borden Took an Ax hits.

Rated: B

Apr 8, 2014

Full Review

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Synopsis

In 1892, Lizzie Borden (Christina Ricci) stands trial for the brutal murder of her father and stepmother.

Director: Nick Gomez
Producer: Judith Verno
Screenwriter: Stephen Kay, David Coggeshall
Production Co: Sony Pictures Television
Rating: TV-14
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 8, 2014
Runtime: 1h 30m

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