Sarah Paulson Unrecognizable as Aileen Wuornos in First Look at New ‘Monster’ Season
Sarah Paulson Unrecognizable as Aileen Wuornos in First Look at New ‘Monster’ Season
LOS ANGELES — Sarah Paulson is undergoing another dramatic transformation for her latest role, stepping into the disturbing persona of notorious serial killer Aileen Wuornos for the upcoming fourth season of Ryan Murphy’s Monster anthology series.
The first look at Paulson in character has stunned fans, with the actress appearing almost unrecognizable. She sports pale skin, scraggly hair, bleached eyebrows and a weathered appearance designed to resemble Wuornos.
Paulson Takes on Aileen Wuornos
Wuornos was convicted of killing six men in Florida between 1989 and 1990 and was executed in 2002. Her life and crimes have been the subject of numerous films and documentaries, most famously the 2003 movie Monster, in which Charlize Theron portrayed her in an Oscar-winning performance.
Paulson’s version of Wuornos will appear in Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, although the season is primarily focused on Lizzie Borden, the 19th-century woman accused and acquitted of murdering her father and stepmother.
A Story Connecting Two Infamous Women
The unusual connection between Borden and Wuornos is intentional.
The new season explores the idea of female violence, rage and the circumstances that can push women toward extreme acts. Wuornos appears in portions of the story set decades after Borden’s case and is portrayed as being influenced by Borden’s notorious legacy.
Ella Beatty plays Lizzie Borden, while Paulson takes on the role of Wuornos.
This is also the first season of Monster to focus on female killers after previous installments examined Jeffrey Dahmer, the Menendez brothers and Ed Gein.
Another Major Transformation for Paulson
Paulson is no stranger to physically demanding transformations.
The Emmy- and Tony-winning actress has repeatedly collaborated with Murphy, appearing in projects including American Horror Story, American Crime Story and Ratched.
For Wuornos, however, Paulson’s appearance is particularly striking. Her costume, makeup and prosthetic work create a deliberately harsh and worn-down look that bears a strong resemblance to photographs of the real-life killer.
The transformation has already generated significant attention online, with many viewers praising Paulson’s ability to disappear into challenging roles.
Netflix Series Arrives in September
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story will consist of eight episodes and is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on September 17.
Alongside Paulson and Beatty, the cast includes Vicky Krieps, Charlie Hunnam, Rebecca Hall, Billie Lourd, Jessica Barden and Joey Pollari.
The new season promises to take a different approach from earlier Monster stories, combining historical crime with psychological drama and examining how notorious female figures can become cultural legends.
For Paulson, the role offers another opportunity to completely transform herself — this time into one of America’s most infamous female criminals.
