Overview
Monsters: The Lyke and Erik Menendez story is the second series of Monsters created by Murphy and Brennan. Following DAHMER – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, released 2 years prior, the series dramatises the 1989 parricides of Kitty and José Menendez in their Beverly Hills home and the later trials of their sons, Lyle and Erik.
The series presents multiple viewpoints from journalists, relatives, prosecutors, and the brothers themselves to unravel why Lyle and Erik might have resorted to such violent actions against their parents.
Themes and Theories
Among many viewpoints and theories portrayed in the series, Dominick Dunne, known for his work covering high-profile criminal trials, was heavily featured within the series. Murphy and Brennan deeply characterised his character, referencing his daughter Dominique’s murder, which in turn motivated him to scrutinise how privilege, status, and influence affect the justice system.
Uniquely, the series also brings male sexual abuse into focus with a depth and sensitivity rarely seen in mainstream storytelling. Whether factual or not, the narrative challenges cultural silences around male victims, a subject often overlooked or dismissed. In doing so, the series complicates public understanding of the Menendez case and broadens the conversation about how trauma manifests, is remembered, and is judged within the confines of the courtroom and the court of public opinion.
Cast and Production
The lead roles in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story are Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle Menendez and Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez, with Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny portraying their parents, José and Kitty Menendez.
Through nine episodes, the season presents events through multiple perspectives and narrators, which blur the lines between facts and perception, leaving much of the truth deliberately open to interpretation and inviting viewers to grapple with competing narratives at the heart of the case.
Critical Reception & Controversy
The series rose to the top of Netflix’s charts upon release, drawing in audiences with its mixed courtroom and intimate family tragedy. Yet, it had also been criticised strongly by reviewers and the Menendez brothers.
One of the most controversial aspects of the series was insinuations of an incestuous relationship between Lyle and Erik, a narrative many argued was speculative and unsupported by tangible evidence. This insinuation also adds to what critics have accused Murphy and Brennan of sensationalising an already multifaceted case.
Erik Menendez publicly shamed the series through his wife, Tammi Menendez’s, X account, accusing Murphy of creating the series with “bad intent”. The Menendez family had also claimed they had been victimised by Murphy’s “grotesque shockadrama”.
However, the brothers later shared on TMZ‘s 2 Angry Men podcast, a lighter view after watching clips of the series over video chat, sharing they were grateful and “- Ryan Murphy did his project and ended up doing that.”
Broader Impacts & Debate for Younger Viewers
Noting the gradual shift in public opinion on the Menendez brothers, many younger viewers encountered the story for the first time through this series and through the digital platform afforded discussions, there is more of an openness to considering the abuse allegations as central to the case.
This debate was amplified by a resurfaced video clip from the Menendez trial, in which defence lawyer Leslie Abramson asked, “Would you feel any differently about what happened to my client if my client’s name was Erika Menendez…?” The moment, which recently trended online and was further lip-synced to on TikTok, highlights the gendered biases that shape how abuse narratives are received and judged.
Celebrity Support
Celebrity support has further arisen from the series, such as Kim Kardashian, who has spoken publicly in favour of the brothers, drawing from memories of her father, Robert Kardashian, who was a friend of the family and involved in the infamous trial of O.J. Simpson, a murder case which occured during the time of the trial.
Cooper Koch’s Support of Menendez Brothers Following the Series
Cooper Koch, also following the release, has been a vocal advocate for the brothers, expressing strong support, emphasising his deep empathy for Erik Menendez, sharing with Variety that “His life is going to surround making change in the prison system, and I just think that is so beautiful.”.
Legal developments post series
In October 2024, the Los Angeles chief prosecutor formally sought resentencing for Lyle and Erik Menendez, a move that reflected both growing public advocacy and shifting cultural attitudes toward the case. The decision opened the door to the possibility of parole, though in August this year, the brothers’ request was denied. Still, the outcome was not final as they will become eligible for reconsideration again in three years, keeping the question of their future and debates very much alive.
Conclusion
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story has reignited public interest in one of America’s most infamous parricides, dramatising the exploration of trauma, privilege, and justice within the case. The series challenged viewers to consider the contested narratives surrounding the Menendez brothers.
References
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