On Sept. 19, Netflix released a documentary about the infamous Menendez Brothers case called “Monsters.“ As weeks went by and the show’s viewing skyrocketed, people began to question whether these brothers fit the title of the show or not.
The Case:
In 1994, two brothers, Lyle and Erik Menendez were sentenced to life in prison for the homicide of both of their parents, Jose and Mary Menendez.
Throughout court the prosecutors claimed that the brothers killed their parents for financial gain, but the brothers argued that they killed them out of self-defense due to years of their father physically, emotionally, and sexually abusing them and their mother letting it happen.
The jury was indecisive, leading them to have another court case months later, this time the brothers weren’t allowed to speak about their sexual abuse causing the jury to decide this was first degree murder.
The Controversy:
As the show “Monsters” became more popular, controversy arose. People began making statements online saying that the documentary brushed over the actual abuse and trauma the boys faced. These statements being made are argued due to the 37-minute-long part of the show of when Cooper Koch, playing Erik Menendez, spoke about all of the abuse and darkness from his childhood in this single shot scene.
While in prison, Erik shared his statement on his wife’s account on X. Erik said, “It is sad for me to know that Netflix’s dishonest portrayal of the tragedies surrounding our crime have taken the painful truths several steps backward—back through time to an era when the prosecution built a narrative on a belief system that males were not sexually abused, and that males experienced rape trauma differently than women.” Erik also claims that this show is full of “blatant lies.”
Ryan Murphy, the creator of “Monsters,” later began to speak up and defend the show. Murphy claims that roughly 60%-65% of the show is speaking about the sexual abuse the boys went through and is confused as to why Erik is harshly criticizing the show when Murphy knows he hasn’t seen it.
Murphy said, “We know two people were brutally shot. Our view and what we wanted to do was present you all the facts and have you do two things: make up your own mind about who’s innocent, who’s guilty and who’s the monster and also have a conversation about something that’s never talked about in our culture, which is male sexual abuse, which we do responsibly.”
Despite the jarring comments Erik has made towards the show, Murphy believes if Erik watched the show he would be proud of the way Cooper Koch portrayed Eriks’ character.
The Closure:
All of the debates surrounding whether or not the show properly portrays the abuse the Menendez brothers went through has caused people to give their case another look.
People have been making claims that the Menendez brothers deserve the same freedom Gypsy Rose, another infamous case, now has. It is believed by the people that the murder was out of self-defense, similarly to how the murder of Gypsy Roses’ mother was out of self-defense. The only difference is that Gypsy was set free.
As many people have began speaking up, a hearing on the Menendez brothers’ petition is set for Nov. 29. This could lead to a reopening of the case, and possible freedom for the brothers.
