Ryan Murphy has a way of making people uncomfortable. It’s basically his brand at this point. After the massive, albeit controversial, success of the Dahmer story, everyone knew the next installment of the anthology was going to be a lightning rod for debate. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story dropped on Netflix and immediately set the internet on fire. It wasn't just because of the 1990s nostalgia or the casting. It was because people can't agree on what really happened in that Beverly Hills mansion.
Were they cold-blooded killers looking for a payday? Or were they broken victims of a lifetime of horrific abuse?
The show doesn't give you a straight answer. It’s messy. Honestly, that’s probably why it’s been sitting at the top of the charts since it premiered.
The Reality Behind Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
Let's look at the facts. In 1989, Jose and Kitty Menendez were shot to death in their home. Their sons, Lyle and Erik, eventually confessed to the killings but claimed they acted in self-defense after years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse at the hands of their father. The first trial was a circus. It ended in a hung jury because, back then, the idea of male sexual abuse victims was something a lot of people simply couldn't wrap their heads around. The second trial was different. Much of the abuse testimony was limited, and the brothers were sentenced to life without parole.
Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch play the brothers in the series. They’re haunting. Koch, in particular, has received massive praise for a specific episode titled "The Hurt Man," which is essentially one long, unbroken take of him describing the abuse his character suffered. It’s hard to watch. It’s supposed to be.
But here is where things get complicated.
The Menendez family members, specifically Erik’s wife Tammi Menendez, have come out swinging against the show. They’ve called it a "dishonest portrayal" and a "caricature." They argue that Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan leaned too heavily into debunked theories—like the idea that there was an incestuous relationship between the two brothers—rather than focusing on the documented evidence of Jose Menendez’s cruelty.
Why the Timing of the Series Matters
You've probably noticed that true crime isn't just about entertainment anymore. It’s about advocacy. While Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story was in production, a new piece of evidence surfaced in the real world. Roy Rosselló, a former member of the boy band Menudo, came forward alleging that he, too, was drugged and raped by Jose Menendez when he was a teenager.
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This changed everything.
Suddenly, the brothers' claims from thirty years ago didn't seem so "invented" to the general public. There is currently a habeas corpus petition under review. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office has been looking at this new evidence to decide if the brothers deserve a resentencing or a new trial.
It’s a weird intersection of pop culture and the legal system. Most people watching the show are also following the real-life court updates on TikTok. It’s a feedback loop. The show creates interest, the interest puts pressure on the DA, and the DA’s actions make more people watch the show.
The Stylistic Choices of Ryan Murphy
Some critics hate the "Rashomon" style of the season. If you aren't familiar, that basically means the show presents multiple versions of the same event based on who is telling the story. One episode shows the brothers as calculating monsters. The next shows them as terrified children.
It’s jarring.
Many viewers feel this is a "both sides" approach to a situation that shouldn't have two sides if the abuse was real. Others argue it’s the only responsible way to handle a case where the only witnesses are the people who pulled the trigger. Dominique Dunne, the journalist played by Nathan Lane in the series, represents the skeptical media lens of the 90s. He’s the voice of the people who thought the brothers were just "spoiled brats."
The contrast between Lane’s performance and the raw vulnerability of the actors playing the brothers is where the show finds its tension.
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The Controversy Over the Incest Theory
One of the biggest complaints about Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) suggestion of a romantic bond between Lyle and Erik.
Journalists who covered the original trial, like Robert Rand, have been vocal about this. Rand, who wrote The Menendez Murders, has stated repeatedly that there was never any evidence of such a relationship. He views it as a "Hollywood-ized" addition that distracts from the actual tragedy of the case.
When you're dealing with real people who are still alive and serving time, these creative liberties feel different than they do in a fictional slasher flick. They have weight.
What the Public Gets Wrong About the 1996 Verdict
People often forget that the 90s were a different era for the legal system. This was post-O.J. Simpson. The Los Angeles DA’s office was desperate for a win. They couldn't afford to lose another high-profile "Trial of the Century."
Judge Stanley Weisberg, who presided over the second trial, made several rulings that many legal experts today find questionable. By excluding much of the "Battered Woman Syndrome" (which was being adapted for child abuse cases) testimony, the jury was left with a very narrow window of what they could consider. They weren't allowed to consider "imperfect self-defense." It was either first-degree murder or nothing.
The show touches on this, but it focuses more on the psychological trauma.
Key Differences Between Season 1 and Season 2
- Season 1 (Dahmer): Focused on a serial killer with no defense. The horror was in his actions.
- Season 2 (Menendez): Focuses on a family tragedy. The horror is in the "why."
- Perspective: Dahmer was mostly told from the perspective of the victims and neighbors. Menendez is told from the perspective of the perpetrators.
This shift in perspective is why some people find this season more "humanizing" than the first, while others find it more dangerous. It’s a lot easier to empathize with two boys who were allegedly tortured than it is with a man who ate people.
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The Impact on the Menendez Brothers Today
Regardless of how you feel about the Netflix series, its impact on the real-life case is undeniable. There is a massive movement on social media—mostly driven by Gen Z—demanding "Justice for the Menendez Brothers."
They don't see killers. They see survivors.
This cultural shift is fascinating. In 1990, the public laughed at them. Saturday Night Live did sketches mocking their crying on the stand. Today, people are making "edit" videos of their testimony with sad music.
The show has accelerated a conversation that was already happening in the background of the legal community. With the DA's office currently reviewing the case, we could potentially see Lyle and Erik walk free within the next year or two. That would have been unthinkable a decade ago.
Moving Forward: What to Watch For
If you’ve finished the series and you're looking for the "truth," the best thing to do is look at the primary sources. Netflix also released a documentary called The Menendez Brothers where the siblings themselves call in from prison to tell their side.
It’s a good companion piece. It strips away the Ryan Murphy flair and gives you the raw audio.
Next Steps for True Crime Enthusiasts:
- Compare the accounts: Watch the 1993 trial footage available on YouTube. It’s wild to see how closely the actors mimicked the real-life testimony.
- Read the investigative work: Check out Robert Rand’s reporting. He’s been on this beat for thirty years and offers a much more grounded perspective than the TV show.
- Follow the legal updates: Keep an eye on the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s social media and official statements regarding the November 2024 and 2025 court dates.
- Research the "Menudo" connection: Look into the allegations made by Roy Rosselló. It provides the "corroborating evidence" that was missing during the original trials.
The story of the Menendez brothers isn't over. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is just the latest chapter in a saga that has spanned decades. Whether it’s an accurate portrayal or a sensationalized drama is almost beside the point now. It has reignited a national conversation about abuse, justice, and the possibility of redemption.
The real ending isn't on Netflix. It's happening in a California courtroom.