Rebecca Hall, the Oscar‑nominated actress known for hopping between indie dramas and blockbuster franchises, sat down with Collider to talk about her latest Netflix outing, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story. The series re‑imagines the infamous 19th‑century murder case, and Hall steps into the shoes of Abby Borden – the step‑mother who is as cruel as she is comic.

"If he is someone who speaks very slowly with a stutter and finds it very difficult to find the right word for something, then I've got to be someone who always has the right word for everything and speaks incredibly fast," Hall explained, describing the mental gymnastics required to keep her rapid‑fire lines crisp. She admitted the script demanded a near‑photographic memory, noting that a few of the barbs – "Turgid little sausage fingers" and the self‑deprecating "Flapdoodle — this is my personality" – still echo in her mind.

The actress also delved into the character’s tonal balance. Abby is not a straight‑up villain. She is a wounded, bitter woman whose resentment fuels both her cruelty and her dark humor. Hall said she pulled from the exaggerated, mid‑Atlantic accents of 1930s cinema, listening to Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, while also taking a cue from Vivian Pickles’ off‑beat turn in Harold and Maude. The result, she claims, is a step‑mother who feels both aristocratic and oddly relatable.

Beyond the dialogue, the set proved a physical challenge. One of the most talked‑about moments involves a vomiting gag that required Hall to be literally immersed in a vat of tomato soup. "It's unbelievable. I was so worried about it. For what makes maybe four minutes of screen time takes easily a day to shoot. That's a day of sitting around tomato soup that smells in a specific way," she laughed, adding that the production did not employ any 4DX tricks – they were literally in the soup.

Hall’s candidness about the stunt shows the series’ blend of horror, dark comedy, and period drama. While she admits she did not conduct extensive historical research – "I don't look anything like Abby Borden is really the only thing that I learned from that" – she acknowledges that the trial scenes will likely prompt viewers to dig deeper into the real case.

The interview also touched on the broader tone of the show. Hall described the narrative as a “campy, cruel excellence” that lets her chew the scenery while still delivering a performance anchored in the character’s pain. The combination of sharp wit, grotesque set pieces, and a fresh take on a well‑trodden legend has already sparked buzz among fans of true‑crime retellings.

Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story drops on Netflix later this month, and Hall’s remarks suggest that the series will be as much a showcase of her chameleon‑like range as it is a new chapter in the Lizzie Borden mythos. Whether viewers will be more drawn to the historical intrigue or the over‑the‑top set moments remains to be seen, but Hall’s commitment to the role promises a memorable ride.

The show’s release date is set for October 5, and Netflix has hinted at a second season in the works if the first garners enough viewership. Keep an eye on Hall’s social feeds for behind‑the‑scenes clips – especially any more tomato‑soup mishaps.