Netflix's newly released Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is based on the real-life events of 1989 when two brothers, Lyle and Erik Menendez, murdered their parents at their mansion in Beverly Hills, California. While Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is based on a true story, some parts have been fictionalized by the creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan to add depth to the drama.
The series has nine episodes, each uncovering the controversial case and exploring the reason behind the gruesome murder of José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story has a strong ensemble of cast members, including Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez as the two brothers, with Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny playing José and Kitty Menendez.
As seen in the anthology series, José Menendez was a famous personality in Beverly Hills who worked as an entertainment executive. He gave his family a luxurious lifestyle but allegedly failed as a father. To this day, Lyle and Erik Menendez claim that their parents had abused them and even threatened to kill them if they exposed what happened behind closed doors.
Who are Lyle and Erik Menendez? Exploring the subjects of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
Lyle and Erik Menendez were born to the Menendez family, which is known for their wealth. José Menendez, their father, was known for his professional success in the entertainment industry.
According to Biography, José and Kitty, their mother, met in college and later married in 1963. The couple had their first child, Lyle Menendez, in 1968, while Erik Menendez was born two years later in 1970. As seen in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, the two brothers were talented sports players, each excelling in tennis.
However, on Sunday, August 20, 1989, the entire Beverly Hills neighborhood was shocked to learn about the murder of José and his wife. The Menendez brothers claimed a mafia had gunned down the couple.
Initially, the police didn't suspect Lyle and Erik of the murder as they believed a mob involvement. However, things went out of Lyle's control when his younger brother Erik began therapy at his psychiatrist Dr. Jerome Oziel's office. Erik revealed that he and Lyle have killed their parents out of fear, as they have been abusing them for years.
While Lyle was an adult, Erik was still an 18-year-old trying to cope with the crime he and Lyle committed. He even shared that the idea of killing their parents came after watching the 1987 film Billionaire Boys Club. Following Erik's confession, also featured in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Dr. Oziel shared the information with his mistress, Judalon Smyth.
The brothers started spending a lot of money on Rolex watches, real estate, and houses after the murder, alarming the police about their possible involvement. Additionally, Judalon Smyth told the police about Erik's confession at the office and revealed that they had shot their parents multiple times.
What happened to Lyle and Erik Menendez after their arrest?
Months after investigating the controversial case, the police arrested Lyle Menendez first, followed by Erik turning himself up in 1990. They were put in two trials that aired live on Court TV, with prosecutors claiming that Lyle and Erik were thrust into inheriting their father's wealth.
However, the convicts insisted on how José and Kitty Menendez didn't care about their sons as humans and kept torturing them. They were charged with the murders of their parents and sentenced to life in prison.
To explain the severity of the claims, episode 1 of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story even featured Lyle's bald head.
How accurate is Ryan Murphy's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story?
Based on the real-life murder of the Menendez couple, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story also includes scripted parts dramatizing the events. For instance, the depiction of Lyle and Erik's relationship in the true-crime anthology series has been dramatized.
While some viewers didn't find it appropriate, others believe it was crucial to understand the two figures through the lens of Ryan Murphy and his co-creator, Ian Brennan.
A new evidence might release Lyle and Erik from prison
CBS News reported that Cliff Gardner, the attorney in Lyle and Erik's case, might succeed in proving the two brothers were physically, mentally, and s*xually abused by their father.
The attorney has presented a letter claiming that it was written by Erik in 1988 to his cousin Andy Cano, talking about José Menendez's constant violence and abuse toward the brothers. Some sentences of the letter read:
"I’ve been trying to avoid Dad. It’s still happening, Andy, but it’s worse for me now. … Every night I stay up thinking he might come in. … I’m afraid. … He’s crazy. He’s warned me a hundred times about telling anyone, especially Lyle."
Andy Cano was also present during the trials and revealed that he noticed José's inappropriate behavior toward his sons. Even though the attorney hasn't proved it yet, many believe that Lyle and Erik were abused since childhood.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is receiving positive reviews over the portrayals of Erik and Lyle and highlights sensitive issues.
The New Lyle and Erik Menendez documentary set to arrive on Netflix
Following the release of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, the streaming giant will release a new documentary titled The Menendez Brothers in October 2024. The exact release date is yet to be announced, but the upcoming documentary closely follows real-life events.
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Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is now streaming on Netflix.
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