The Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story made its debut on September 19, 2024.
Featuring a talented cast including Nicholas Chavez, Cooper Koch, Javier Barden, and Chloe Sevigny, the show remains largely true to the real-life events surrounding the infamous Menendez brothers. Showrunners Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan have emphasized their commitment to fidelity in storytelling, drawing extensively from testimonies of the Menendez brothers and the evidence presented during their highly publicized trial.
However, certain elements of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, particularly the perceived sexualization of the brothers, have sparked debate.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story: A Deep Dive into Real Events
As highlighted in a Q&A by Vanity Fair, the Netflix series gained traction due to increased social media discourse surrounding the real-life murder case, particularly on platforms like TikTok. Ian Brennan noted that this surge in interest reflects society’s evolving views on sensitive issues like male sexual abuse compared to the perceptions prevalent during the 1980s and 1990s.
The series adeptly showcases both sides of the legal battle enveloping the Menendez brothers, illustrating their extravagant lifestyle funded by their parents’ estate alongside the severe abuse and trauma they suffered in their childhood.
Several scenes in the series are inspired by actual events. For example, Lyle Menendez’s aspirations of owning a chicken wing franchise are rooted in reality, as the real Lyle Menendez did acquire Chuck’s Spring Street Cafe in Princeton, later renaming it Mr. Buffalo.
In 2012, his Princeton classmate and the restaurant’s CFO, Hayden Rogers, shared with Roll Call:
“He called me up and—I was working in construction—and he called me up and asked me if I would be interested in managing a restaurant he was looking at buying. I went up, talked about it, decided it was a good opportunity, so I went to work for him.”
He further mentioned plans to expand the franchise to universities, including UCLA, noting that Lyle was arrested while they were out to lunch.
Another real-life aspect incorporated in the series is the inclusion of Milli Vanilli’s song Girl I’m Gonna Miss You during Lyle’s eulogy for his parents, a moment that originated during the memorial held by the Director’s Guild for Jose and Kitty Menendez in 1989.
Controversy Surrounding the Portrayal of the Menendez Brothers’ Relationship
Although Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story largely adheres to the factual narrative of the true crime saga, one point of contention has been its representation of the relationship between the brothers.
In a review for Vulture, Jen Chaney voiced her mixed emotions regarding specific scenes that might be perceived as having homoerotic undertones. Critics argue that these depictions are exploitative and sensationalist, despite the brothers’ relationship being profoundly influenced by their abusive upbringing at the hands of their father.
Supporters of the series counter that the portrayal accurately reflects the brothers’ trauma and reactions to their experiences.
Particular moments, including Lyle’s admission of molesting Erik, have been highlighted by both proponents and detractors of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
Given the harrowing subject matter surrounding the real-life murders, it is not surprising that the series has navigated controversial themes. This captivating depiction of one of the most notorious murder cases from the 1980s is available for streaming on Netflix.
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