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Fact vs. Fiction: What ‘Monsters’ Got Right About the Menendez Brothers
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is the second installment of Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology on Netflix. It revisits the infamous case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, two brothers who murdered their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home. The show explores the complex courtroom battles and the question of whether the brothers were driven to murder due to years of alleged abuse or by a desire to acquire their parents’ fortune.
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The Cast of Monsters
- Erik Menendez (Cooper Koch): The younger brother is played by Cooper Koch, known for They/Them and Power Book II: Ghost.
- Lyle Menendez (Nicholas Alexander Chavez): Lyle, the older brother, is portrayed by Nicholas Alexander Chavez, famous for starring in General Hospital.
- José Menendez (Javier Bardem): The Menendez brothers’ father and music industry executive is played by Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men).
- Kitty Menendez (Chloë Sevigny): Their mother, Kitty Menendez, is played by Chloë Sevigny (Russian Doll, The Girl from Plainville).
- Dominick Dunne (Nathan Lane): Vanity Fair journalist Dominick Dunne, who closely followed the trial, is played by Nathan Lane (The Lion King, The Birdcage).
- Leslie Abramson (Ari Graynor): Erik’s defense attorney is portrayed by Ari Graynor (Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist).
- Judalon Smyth (Leslie Grossman): Played by Leslie Grossman (American Horror Story), Judalon Smyth is a key figure who helped expose Erik’s confession to his therapist.
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Revisiting the Menendez Murders: The Netflix Story
The Menendez brothers killed their parents on August 20th, 1989, firing 14 shots. Initially, they weren’t suspects, but six months later, Erik confessed the crime to his therapist, leading to their arrest.
The trial became a national sensation, with the prosecution claiming the murders were motivated by a desire to inherit their parents’ $14.5 million fortune, while the defense argued the brothers acted in self-defense after suffering years of sexual and emotional abuse. In 1996, both were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. They are still incarcerated today.
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Monsters re-examines the case with a fresh perspective, focusing on the alleged abuse the brothers claimed to have endured. Over 30 years later, the debate continues: were Lyle and Erik victims of their father’s abuse, or did they kill their parents in cold blood for financial gain? The show has reignited interest in the case, though Erik Menendez criticized the portrayal, calling it “vile and appalling.” Ryan Murphy, however, has defended the series, stating it dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to exploring the abuse allegations.
How accurate is Netflix’s Monsters series on Lyle and Erik Menendez?
Monsters sticks closely to real events but takes some creative liberties for dramatic purposes. The show accurately portrays key moments, like Erik’s confession to his therapist, Dr. Jerome Oziel, and how his then-mistress, Judalon Smyth, exposed the brothers to the police. However, some elements, such as the depiction of José and Kitty recognizing their sons before being shot, are not consistent with forensic evidence.
Were the Brothers Abused?
A key question the series explores is whether the brothers were truly victims of abuse. During the trial, both testified about years of sexual and emotional abuse at the hands of their father, José Menendez, with some family members and friends corroborating parts of their story. However, not all agreed with these claims, and no definitive evidence was proven in court. The brothers’ defense attorney, Leslie Abramson, built their case around the abuse claims, but the jury ultimately found them guilty of murder.
Shark-Fishing Trip Before the Murders.
The series dramatizes a shark-fishing trip the day before the murders, where the brothers allegedly feared their parents might kill them. This trip was indeed mentioned during the trial, with Lyle testifying that the tension was so high they believed their parents planned to eliminate them during the outing.
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Spending Spree After the Murders
One of the most damning pieces of evidence against the Menendez brothers was their lavish spending after the murders. They bought luxury items like Rolex watches and cars, and Erik paid his tennis coach $60,000. This extravagant behavior contradicted the narrative of fear and abuse they presented in court.
Lyle’s Toupee Incident
The show features a real-life event in which Kitty Menendez humiliates Lyle by ripping off his toupee. Lyle testified about this during the trial, saying the incident symbolized the emotional abuse he endured from his mother.
Erik’s Screenplay: Friends
The show also portrays Erik’s screenplay, Friends, which eerily resembled the real-life murders. It featured a character who killed his parents to inherit their wealth, casting a shadow over the brothers’ defense that the murders weren’t financially motivated.
Brothers’ Relationship and Controversy
Monsters also touches on rumors of an incestuous relationship between the brothers. In one controversial scene, the show suggests this by depicting the brothers kissing, but there is no evidence supporting this theory. This element sparked criticism, as it leaned on speculation and was never proven in the trial.
Erik’s Sexuality
The series explores Erik’s struggles with his sexuality, showing an intimate relationship with a male friend. While Erik denied being gay in a 1996 interview, Monsters uses this narrative to explore the psychological effects of abuse, rather than strictly adhering to the facts.
Key Moments from the Trial
The show accurately captures several moments from the trial, including Erik’s confession to his therapist and the court’s controversial decision to admit those therapy sessions as evidence. However, it misrepresents some details, such as which prosecutor questioned Erik about purchasing guns before the murders.
Lyle’s Portrayal
In Monsters, Lyle is portrayed as the more cold-hearted, financially driven of the two brothers, a narrative that is more speculative than factual. This portrayal has raised questions about whether the series leans too heavily into dramatization, given that real-life testimonies described the brothers differently.
Kitty Menendez’s Role
The series suggests that Kitty might have enabled José’s abuse, but it doesn’t go deeply into the possibility that she may have abused the brothers herself. In real life, Lyle and Erik accused both parents of emotional abuse, but this is not thoroughly explored in the show.
Monsters also leaves out certain important aspects of the case, such as the controversy surrounding defense attorney Leslie Abramson and the allegations that she asked Dr. William Vicary, their therapist, to alter his notes. These details were part of the legal proceedings but are omitted from the series.
The Menendez case captivated the nation and continues to generate public interest, especially in the true crime genre, which is more popular now than ever. Lyle and Erik have expressed remorse for their actions, but they maintain that they acted out of fear.
So, Are the Menendez brothers Victims or Villains?
The Menendez brothers’ case still remains one of the most debated in US history. Netflix’s Monsters examines the abuse allegations and explores whether the brothers were victims of a toxic household or driven by greed. The truth likely lies somewhere in between, but the debate continues, over 30 years after the crime.
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