Netflix's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story follows the story of two brothers, also known as the Menendez brothers. This pair is known to have killed their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in 1989. The series on Netflix will lead the audience through what occurred and why it happened.
It is part of the anthology series Dahmer, one of Netflix's most-watched shows, coming in third behind Stranger Things and Wednesday. Dahmer premiered on September 21, 2022, globally on Netflix. The show sent waves across various streaming platforms because it was received well.
Shortly, it received an early pickup for a second season. For season 2, which began production in July 2023, Netflix released the title Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. This series will become available on Netflix from September 19, 2024. In real life, Lyle and Erik are still serving life imprisonment and will not be paroled.
Content warning: This article contains mentions of murder and physical and s**ual abuse. If this is heavy for you, we suggest you skip this.
5 most disturbing details that viewers will take away from
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
1) There was a history of alleged physical and s**ual abuse in the Menendez family
Lyle and Erik Menendez have served more than 30 years in California prisons for the murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in 1989. Both brothers have reportedly confessed to the crime.
So, why did they kill their parents? Their motive: They said it was because they were afraid, and it was self-defense. The brothers claimed they had suffered physical, emotional, and s**ual abuse from their parents throughout their lives.
The equally famous 1993 trial was where Lyle Menendez told the court about the abuse. He and Erik were abused as children, he said, beginning when they were six years old. He accused his father of having raped him and tried to force him to perform oral s*x regularly.
2) Jose and Kitty's biological sons shot them to death
Early in the morning of August 20, 1989, two brothers, Lyle, 21, and Erik, 18, armed with shotguns, went into the mansion of their parents in Beverly Hills and approached their parents, who sat on a couch.
The brothers reportedly shot their father at point-blank range into the head and shot him three more times in the legs and arms. Lyle left the house, reloaded his gun, and came back inside. He then reportedly shot his mother, who sustained a total of five shots to the body and four shots to the head.
3) The murder was so gruesome that the professionals initially believed that there was a mob involved
On Sunday, August 20, 1989, Jose and Kitty Menendez were tragically murdered in their Beverly Hills home. Their lifeless bodies were found sprawled out in the family room as a result of multiple shotgun wounds at very close range. In Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, we get to see that, according to their sons, they were the ones who found their parents' bodies upon arriving home.
Detectives initially believed that the murder scene might have been a professional hit because of how severe it was. Later, Erik and Lyle were identified as the primary suspects as the inquiry progressed.
4) The defending lawyer believed that the brothers killed their parents to take the inheritance
During the prosecution, it emerged that after committing the murders, the brothers went on a spending spree across town, indulging in overspending on expensive and luxurious items. As per the defendant's attorney, the children were motivated to kill their parents, intending to inherit their multimillion-dollar estate.
After the murders of José and Kitty, Lyle and Erik reportedly went on a $700,000 spending spree in the months leading to the brothers' arrest. Lyle spent money on Rolex watches and Porsche and invested in a restaurant. Erik hired a first-rate tennis coach and Jeep. The brothers both spent money on traveling and renting condos.
5) The Menendez brothers wrongly convicted?
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story tells the viewers that the brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez are serving over 30 years in prison for killing their parents in 1989. Their case shook the nation after they were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. Now, the brothers reportedly have new evidence that may pry their case open and set them free.
As the hearings continued, it came to light that their father had physically abused them. Their cousin also came forward with similar statements about Jose to strengthen their claims. As you continue to watch the series, you begin to wonder if the brothers would have been released from prison by now if they had been charged with manslaughter rather than first-degree murder.
If this article has sparked your interest, you can stream Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story on Netflix from September 19, 2024.
