Synopsis
Massachusetts, 1892. An unmarried woman of 32 and a social outcast, Lizzie lives a claustrophobic life under her father's cold and domineering control. When Bridget Sullivan, a young maid, comes to work for the family, Lizzie finds a sympathetic, kindred spirit, and a secret intimacy soon blossoms into a wicked plan.
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Cast
- Chloë SevignyLizzie Borden
- Kim DickensEmma Borden
- Kristen StewartBridget "Maggie" Sullivan
- Jamey SheridanAndrew Borden
- Fiona ShawAbby Borden
- Denis O'HareJohn Morse
- Jeff PerryAndrew Jennings
- Jody MatzerDeputy Fleet
- Daniel WachsDr. Bowen
- Roscoe SandlinJudge Blaisdell
Recommendations
- 90
TheWrap
Between the camerawork and the subtle performances, Lizzie could very easily have been a silent film while still telling its story as effectively. But Kass’ dialogue is terrific. - 80
The Guardian
[A] gripping, well-acted and sharply-written low-budget drama. - 79
The Verge
The movie is engrossing, with Sevigny delivering a fierce performance that inspires empathy in spite of — or perhaps because of — the awful things the audience knows Lizzie will eventually do. - 70
The Hollywood Reporter
Not everything is spelled out too literally, and both the screenplay and Macneill's sensitive direction leave it to the lead actors to fill in the foreground colors. - 67
The Playlist
While [Chloe Sevigny's] work is commanding and a dedicated set of tough, engaged performances from the ensemble add life to the odd legend, awkward structural choices bleed away the film’s emotional punch long before the credits roll. - 60
Variety
It’s a simple story made to rouse modern hearts, and the performances and cinematography are so good, the film nearly pulls off the trick. - 58
The A.V. Club
[An] unconvincing, oppressively somber take on the Lizzie Borden story. - 50
Screen Daily
Lizzie is, at best, a powerful showcase for the two actors. At its worst, it’s a tiresome and unappealing exercise in the inevitability of a family’s mutually assured destruction.
