The new Netflix original series titled Monsters: the Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, has caused quite the controversy online. The series details the life of the Menendez brothers and the torment and sexual abuse they underwent from their father which led them to murder both their parents. On August 20th, 1989, Erik and Lyle Menendez shot their parents, José and Kitty. The boys planned the killing and were charged with premeditated first degree murder. Their parents José and Kitty were incredibly wealthy. José was the CEO of Live Entertainment and was known in the entertainment world. One of the most famous photos of the Menendez brothers was taken on the steps outside their lovely Beverly Hills house. Prosecutors argued that the two killed their parents for the money and not because of the sexual and physical abuse.
José would threaten the boys’ lives and said if they told anyone what was happening they would be killed. The two brothers feared for their lives everyday. Then their mother who was aware of the abuse began getting physically abusive as well. Lyle Menendez said that the abuse started when he was only six years old but then the abuse stopped. His father then targeted Erik the younger brother and he was abused till he was 18. When he finally confided in Lyle about what was happening to him Lyle confronted his parents. They both felt that they would be killed by their father. Two days prior to the incident they had bought shotguns for protection and on the night of August 20th, 1989 they shot their parents to death. They then went and called 911 and pretended that they had found their parents dead to get away from confessing. Police would later on figure out that the brothers were responsible. During the trial hearing they had family members testify to the accounts of abuse they remember. In the end the court ruled that the abuse didn’t give them reason to kill.
On September 21st, 2024, the Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story was released. The show was created by showrunner Ryan Murphy who is also responsible for American Horror Stories, and Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. The Monster series by Murphy has caused a series of controversies online for his inaccurate and insensitive portrayals of these tragedies. Not only have fans and critics all over called out his inappropriate shows but even Erik Menendez has released a public statement. In his statement he calls out Murphy for his “blatant lies” about him and his brother. Despite his statement and disapproval there have still been people publicly supporting the series. All throughout the trial the two were shamed and called liars and greedy monsters but in reality they were just two boys who suffered years of torment and abuse from their very own father. Now there is a show that is not only sharing inaccurate information about the two of them but also portraying them as real life monsters.
Murphy goes as far as to add a substantial plot line of incest between the two which Lyle and Erik have denied. Critics and viewers have been shaming the show’s creators for creating this “incestuous fantasy” about real life brothers. Was Murphy justified in adding this, regardless of Menendez’s claims? This is completely disgusting and incredibly inappropriate considering the two brothers are still alive to hear this feedback. Just the cover photo for the series shows the two shirtless in this incredibly intimate pose that just catches the viewer’s attention in a negative way. This is a story about two brothers who were sexually abused by their own father and their mother knew and did nothing and they are now being seen in this light. In Eriks statement made after the show came out he says that Murphy represented him and his brother with “bad intent.” In Erik’s testimony released by his wife, Tammi Menendez, he says the shows elicits on, “an era when the prosecution built a narrative on a belief system that males were not sexually abused, and that males experienced rape trauma differently than women”. The show which was meant to share the story of Erik and Lyle Menendez has only created more troubles for the two.
Television is a complex form of art that can impact everyone differently. Every viewer may look at the piece of art differently. They will form their own opinions and perspectives. This television show has shown more negative feedback than positive. To some viewers they may watch this series and demand that the Menendez brothers be retried and that it is not fair what happened to them. But on the other hand, some may believe that they are true monsters who deserve life in prison without parole. Is this fair to the brothers? To have the whole world view them in this fictional setting through actors and storytelling? Either way they are still facing life in prison without parole. They are currently being held at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. In April 2018, the boys were finally able to see each other for the first time in 20 years. They now share a unit together.
Unless the words come from their mouths the story should be taken with a grain of salt. Not every viewer will think this. On October 7th, 2024 there will be a new documentary coming out on Netflix. This time Ryan Murphy will have no hand in it. The documentary will deep dive into further evidence and also have real life interviews with the brothers. How will this new documentary change people’s perceptions on Netflix and the brothers? This will be the main question after the documentary is released. Considering this will be the more accurate portrayal of their story. Although it is not fair to the brothers, is it ok for Netflix to profit off their story? Is this entertaining enough to people that it’s worth scrutinizing their name? Ryan Murphy believed it was.
I think this article raises many valuable and serious concerns. One of the biggest issues with the series is how it handles the Menendez brothers’ abuse. As Erik pointed out, male rape trauma is already often dismissed or misunderstood, and the show seems to ignore or distort that reality instead of portraying it accurately. Because this version of their story isn’t coming from their voices, it’s hard to separate what’s true from what’s just added for drama, yet many viewers will take what they see at face value. I’ve also noticed how social media has sexualized the brothers, even calling them “attractive.” This feels somewhat disturbing when, one, we’re talking about people who were victims of abuse, and two, what the public seems to be focusing on is how these guys look rather than their actual story. The upcoming documentary could be a chance to present their story more truthfully, but it also raises the question of whether this is being done for the truth or for profit. At some point, we have to ask where the line is between entertainment and exploitation, and how stories like this can be told in a way that exposes the truth without retraumatizing survivors or misinforming audiences.
I really enjoyed reading your piece. I also watched the famous Netflix series covering the incident of the two brothers and their parents. The story is triggering, yet still replicates this real life event. Though people are always going to have their own opinions regarding if the Menendez brothers had a right to do so, or if what they did was a terrible tragedy. Nonetheless, gruesome situations like these should be studied and covered with more precaution and care. It seems as though people watch these crime documentaries and are so quick to criticize it while forgetting this is the reality of someone’s life. It is not simply just an entertaining source of television, and rather a deeper insight on true crimes. Additionally, I do agree with you that it was unlawful for Murphy to begin a show and not even consider nor get granted permission to construct a show built on inaccurate information. The reality of the situation is these brothers were being abused for years, and had Murphy not created a show, they would not be facing as much criticism as they have from Netflix viewers based on the multiple errors in production.
Hi Margo! I really enjoyed reading your piece. I also watched the famous Netflix series covering the incident of the two brothers and their parents. The story is triggering, yet still replicates this real life event. Though people are always going to have their own opinions regarding if the Menendez brothers had a right to do so, or if what they did was a terrible tragedy. Nonetheless, gruesome situations like these should be studied and covered with more precaution and care. It seems as though people watch these crime documentaries and are so quick to criticize it while forgetting this is the reality of someone’s life. It is not simply just an entertaining source of television, and rather a deeper insight on true crimes. Additionally, I do agree with you that it was unlawful for Murphy to begin a show and not even consider nor get granted permission to construct a show built on inaccurate information. The reality of the situation is these brothers were being abused for years, and had Murphy not created a show, they would not be facing as much criticism as they have from Netflix viewers based on the multiple errors in production.
Hi Margo! I really enjoyed your article. I had watched this series on Netflix and was instantly hooked because it felt like I was just watching a movie. But when you step back and remember that it’s supposed to be based on real people and events, it gets confusing. I think this really shows how the art of documentary or “true story” adaptations needs to have more clear rules. It’s one thing to dramatize, but it’s another to rewrite details of people’s lives who are still alive to see it. It actually reminded me of the Gypsy Rose series with Joey King. While it was partly true, Gypsy Rose herself said it wasn’t accurate and painted her in an unfair light. It makes you wonder at what point entertainment crosses the line into exploitation.