Coming straight from Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's true-crime anthology, the upcoming Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is all set to take viewers back to 1989 when two American brothers committed one of the most terrifying homicides in the history of the nation.
To ensure authenticity and striking resemblance with the convicts, the makers did an impressive job at casting actors to closely mimic the Menendez brothers who killed their own parents over alleged se*ual and physical abuse since childhood.
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Actor Nicholas Chavez, whom fans must have noticed in General Hospital will be seen playing Lyle Menendez, and Swallowed star Cooper Koch has helmed the role of younger brother Erik Menendez.
After looking at the astonishing real and reel versions of Erik and Lyle Menendez, fans must be curious about the actors who played the main roles in the upcoming Netflix series.
The series will spotlight the shocking real-life events that took place during the brutal murder of a couple in Beverly Hills, California.
Exploring the casting choices for Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
1) Nicholas Chavez as Lyle Menendez
Dedicated viewers of the highly acclaimed daily soap General Hospital must have recognized Nicholas Alexander Chavez in no time, as the actor is known for portraying Spencer Cassadine.
The actor was part of the popular pairing of Spencer and Trina (Sprina) during his time on GH. By looking at the comparison of Chavez and the real-life Lyle, fans can expect how remarkably the actor will capture the essence of the elder brother in the upcoming series.
2) Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez
Another chilling character is Cooper Koch's Erik Menendez, the 18-year-old younger brother who longed to get his parents out of his life.
Even though Koch has appeared in a few projects including They/Them, A New York Christmas Wedding, Swallowed, and Fracture, the actor's look in Monsters Season 2 is worth commending.
As seen in the above comparison, Koch's smile closely mirrors Erik's in his family photograph. Even in the newly released teaser, there is a glimpse at Cooper Koch's fine portrayal of Erik Menendez.
3) Javier Bardem as José Menendez
Academy Award-winning, Spanish actor Javier Ángel Encinas Bardem is known for his decades-long career in Hollywood including Oscar nods for his work in Before Night Falls and Being the Ricardos.
Apart from these films, Bardem has starred in others like Dune, The Sea Inside, The Good Boss, and many others.
Bardem's addition to Monsters has significantly contributed to the show's credibility and built excitement among fans.
4) Chloë Sevigny as Kitty Menendez
Actress Chloë Sevigny, best recognized for her role as Lana Tisdel in Boys Don't Cry and Jean in American Pycho has secured the role of Mary Louise 'Kitty' Menendez in the upcoming series.
The brothers claimed that their parents were torturing them from a young age and they both allegedly hated their mother. Sevigny's presence in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is proof that fans are going to watch more than just a true-crime series on Netflix.
Additionally, the makers have strengthened the upcoming anthology series with highly skilled supporting cast members like Nathan Lane as Dominick Dunne, the most important journalist in the murder case, Leslie Grossman as Judalon Smyth, Ari Graynor as defense attorney Leslie Abramson, Dallas Roberts as Dr. Jerome Oziel, Jason Butler Harner as Les Zoeller, and a few more actors who significantly contributed to advance the story in the upcoming series.
How fans are reacting to Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story's teaser
It's been a day since Netflix released a one-minute-seven-second chilling teaser for Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, allowing viewers to get a glimpse of how the Menendez brothers were hiding their true intentions behind their calm and warm smiles.
Following the release, viewers have shared their opinions on the internet, notably through the YouTube comment section in which many are defending the brothers and claiming that the parents were real monsters, and others are eagerly anticipating watching the cruel execution of José and Kitty.
User @Anita_Backrub commented that:
"I remember this case, the trial and how nobody wanted to believe these boys. The father was the monster and the wife nothing more than a useless doormat. I can’t respect a woman that doesn’t protect her children."
Another user @HealthySelfNThrive also had similar thoughts and wrote:
"When I googled their case, it made me feel deeply ill and disturbed. The fact that one of the boys actually said they felt safer in prison then they ever did at home, speaks volumes!! I can't wait until this comes out"
User @AlphaGOD1119 commended the streamer for the anthology series and wrote:
"Hey Netflix yall gotta keep this Monsters series going, its yall best show."
While many are concerned about the real monsters, other fans are viewers are assured that the series will exceed expectations as they believe in the incredible cast of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, and how well the first season was received by fans in 2022.
Are the Menendez Brothers still alive?
More than three decades have passed since the Menendez brothers killed their parents at their Beverly Hills home. Lyle and Erik are still serving in prison as there is no possibility of parole.
As of 2024, Lyle Menendez is 56 years old and his younger brother Erik is three years younger. Both are serving their time in separate prisons.
According to People, Lyle is locked up in Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California, and Erik in Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. The two haven't talked to each other for years, and when they reunited in 2018, the brothers felt incredibly emotional.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story will come out on September 19, 2024.
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