Many opinions are circulating online about the newly released Netflix series, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. Released September 19th, 2024, the show has already achieved global commercial success, debuting as the number-one series on Netflix worldwide.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is the second season of the overall series Monsters, co-created by Ryan Murphy. This season focuses on the 1989 murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez, who were killed by their sons Lyle and Erik Menendez.
The Menendez brothers claim that they acted in a form of “self-defense” after experiencing brutal sexual and physical assault from both parents. The jurors, however, were convinced the Menendez brothers wanted to inherit their parents’ fortune early. Monsters: The Lyke and Erik Menendez Story did a great job correctly portraying what happened that August night including the events before and after the murders.
However, the show turns out to not be as accurate as the world presumed.
Recently from prison, Erik has broken his silence to criticize the series. Erik denounced Monsters for its inaccuracies, particularly the portrayal of his brother Lyle. A statement shared by Erik’s wife, Tammi Menendez says, “Erik criticized the show, saying it misleadingly portrayed him and his brother, and there are ‘blatant lies rampant in the show.’ He accused co-creator Ryan Murphy of intentionally distorting the facts surrounding their crime.”
After Erik’s broken silence, social media has been fighting to get the Menendez brothers released from prison, or at least granted a re-trial. Immediately coming to the defense of the brothers, people everywhere have begun sharing truths about the crime and facts that were in fact, left out of the show.
Monsters sparked lots of unanswered questions, and recently The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office said “A retrial for the Menendez brothers is possible.”
However, the controversies have not stopped co-creator Ryan Murphy, and a third season of Monster titled The Original Monster is currently in development starring Charlie Hunnam as serial killer Ed Gein. Be sure to check it out!
