The focus of the Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story is one of the most shocking stories of family murders in America’s history. Two brothers, Lyle and Erik Menéndez, are accused of killing their parents in their Beverly Hills house. Jose Menéndez, the father, was the head of RCA records in the '80s.
However, the reason for the murders remains unknown. Reportedly, there are two major speculations surrounding the murders which Lyle and Erik Menéndez were convicted for.
The brothers alleged that their father abused them, and their mother did nothing to stop it. But, the prosecution argued that the brothers' quest to control the family estate motivated the crime. Read on to learn more about the story.
What led to the gruesome family murders in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story?
August 20, 1989, marked a fateful date in the history of two brothers, Lyle and Erik Menéndez. They shocked American society by killing their parents, Jose and Kitty Menéndez, in their Beverly Hills mansion. Both parents were killed with shotgun blasts.
During their trials, the Menéndez brothers' lawyers alleged that they were victims of s*xual, emotional, and physical abuse by their father, Jose Menéndez, for many years. As it was reported from their defense, years of bitterness pushed the Menéndez brothers to believe that the only way out of the nightmare was murdering their parents. Later, the younger brother Erik revealed to his therapist that they had killed their parents, and this built evidence against them.
The prosecution had a different story. They dismissed the fear angle and insisted that the Menéndez brothers were to receive a huge share in their parents’ estates after their deaths, and this is why they killed them. This left people to wonder whether the brothers were truly abused as children.
In 1996, Lyle and Erik Menéndez were convicted of first-degree murder and are serving a life sentence in prison without parole.
About Netflix's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
Netflix's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story is the second story produced for the Monster anthology series. Following the massive success of DAHMER — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, the same creators embarked on another true crime story, the infamous American case, the Menéndez brothers who slaughtered their parents.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story on Netflix goes into detail on the lives of Lyle and Erik Menéndez, the events that culminated in the fateful night, the gruesome murder, and the trials that followed. The narration provides viewers with insight into the relationships inside the Menéndez family and the psychological state of the brothers, who testified they had suffered from abuse.
Cast of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story on Netflix
Netflix's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story has an ensemble cast of experienced and new stars, and the real-life characterizations are done superbly:
- Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle Menéndez
- Cooper Koch as Erik Menéndez
- Javier Bardem as Jose Menéndez
- Chloë Sevigny as Kitty Menéndez
- Nathan Lane as Dominick Dunne
- Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson
- Leslie Grossman as Judalon Smyth
- Dallas Roberts as Dr. Jerome Oziel
- Jason Butler Harner as Detective Les Zoeller
- Enrique Murciano as Carlos Baralt Menendez
- Michael Gladis as Tim Rutten
- Drew Powell as Detective Tom Linehan
- Charlie Hall as Craig Cignarelli
- Gil Ozeri as Dr. William Vicary
- Jeff Perry as Peter Hoffman
- Tessa Auberjonois as Dr. Laurel Oziel
- Tanner Stine as Perry Berman
- Larry Clarke as Brian Andersen
- Jade Pettyjohn as Jamie Pisarcik
- Marlene Forte as Marta Cano
Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's DAHMER—Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story was a record-breaking production on Netflix. This achievement makes DAHMER one of the giants among Netflix series.
With Monsters: In The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story, Murphy and Brennan investigate true crime franchises even further, introducing viewers to more terrific stories. Fans of true crime and those intrigued by the complexities of human psychology and family dynamics will find it captivating.
When can you watch it?
Monsters: In The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix on September 19, 2024.
As the release date draws closer, look out for the official trailer for Monsters: In The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story, which has yet to be released.
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