Netflix dropped a creepy trailer on August 27 for its new film Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which stars Cooper Koch and General Hospital alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Erik and Lyle Menendez, respectively. A streaming series based on the infamous murder case, Monsters promises to be macabre and ghoulish, and it will definitely be a must-see for fans of true crime, horror, and even GH.
The story of the Menendez brothers is season two of the Monsters series, as creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan focused season one on serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. This time, the show will detail the true-life account of how the Menendez brothers killed their parents. The first season was a big hit for Netflix, coming in only second after the Addams Family spinoff series, Wednesday.
In real life, the brothers claimed the reason for allegedly killing their parents was because they were physically, sexually, and emotionally abused by them. However, prosecutors claimed that they just wanted the family’s money and spent $700k after the parents were found dead. Both were tried in 1993 separately, but because the juries in each case couldn’t come to a decision, mistrials were declared. However, another trial occurred in 1995 with both brothers together, and in 1996, they were found guilty and given life in prison with no chance for parole for the double murders.
Chavez Left General Hospital
Chavez had initially taken a break from General Hospital to film the nine episodes, but in May, he confirmed that he would not be returning to the show. On X, formerly Twitter, he wrote the following:
I’m so appreciative of the opportunity that GH gave me, and I wouldn’t be as busy as I am professionally if it weren’t for the talented producers, writers, directors and fellow actors.
He continued by thanking Frank Valentini—and then thanking the fans:
I want to take some time to thank and honor the GH fan base…especially the Sprina fans…who must be THE most loyal and kind fan base in the universe of entertainment.
Words fail to show the depth of my gratitude, thank you, I love you all very, very much.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story also stars Javier Bardem as the brothers’ father, Jose Menendez, with Chloë Sevigny playing their mother, Kitty Menendez. Bardem has been in several films, including the James Bond thriller Skyfall, and No Country for Old Men, for which he won the Academy Award in 2008 for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role. Sevigny has appeared in quite a few TV shows including American Horror Story and Portlandia, among others.
Chavez, who was beloved by General Hospital fans, has already won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Young Performer in a Drama Series in 2022 and received a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in 2023, and he has a bright career ahead of him. Soap fans will no doubt tune in to Monsters to catch his performance, and many still hold out hope that, despite his skyrocketing career, he won’t forget his soap roots and will return to the show to reprise his character, Spencer Cassadine, from time to time.
All nine episodes of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story will be released on September 19, 2024.
