Ryan Murphy, the creative mind behind the Netflix sensation Monsters, isn’t one to shy away from controversy. His latest project, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, has reignited the public’s interest in the infamous Menendez brothers. But not everyone is thrilled. The Menendez family has publicly slammed the series, calling it “grotesque” and riddled with inaccuracies. So, what’s the real story behind this drama? Let’s dive in!
The Menendez Family: Not Fans of the Show
In a statement released by Erik Menendez’s wife, Tammi, the family expressed their deep disappointment with the portrayal of their story, claiming they’ve been “victimized” by what they described as a “shock drama.” Yikes! According to Tammi, the show is full of inaccuracies, and—get this—no one from the production team even spoke to the family directly.
But it doesn’t stop there. A group of 24 family members has rallied behind the brothers, calling for their release and slamming the show as being more about Ryan Murphy than the actual events.
Ryan Murphy Fires Back
In true Ryan Murphy fashion, he didn’t stay quiet for long. The Monsters creator told Variety that the family’s response was “predictable.” Ouch. He even challenged them to point out specific “lies” they claim the show contains.
Murphy firmly believes his show is the “best thing that has happened to the Menendez brothers in 30 years” (bold statement, right?). He also pointed out that the series has reignited public interest, which might just lead to a potential retrial. Talk about drama both on and off the screen!
The Brothers’ Story: A Quick Recap
In case you need a refresher: In 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted of murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion. The defence argued that years of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse led the brothers to act in self-defence. However, the prosecution maintained that greed and fear of disinheritance were the real motives.
The trial became a media circus in the ’90s, with the brothers eventually being sentenced to life without parole in 1996. Murphy’s Monsters series revisits these events, exploring both sides of the story—the victims and the accused.
Could There Be A Retrial?
With renewed interest in the case, the Menendez brothers’ legal team hopes to secure a retrial, citing new evidence unavailable during the original case. And here’s where it gets interesting—Murphy claims that if the trial happened today, the brothers would likely face lesser charges due to the now better-understood dynamics of male sexual abuse.
Fun Fact: Netflix Is Releasing a Documentary Next Month!
If you’re obsessed with true crime documentaries, mark your calendars! Netflix is set to release an in-depth documentary about the Menendez case next month, featuring interviews with key players like lawyers, jurors, journalists, and, of course, the Menendez brothers themselves. Who knows what new information might come to light?
What’s Next for True Crime Fans?
Love true crime? Then the Monsters series should be right up your alley. If you enjoyed the drama, keep an eye out for Netflix’s upcoming Menendez documentary, which promises to dive deeper into the story with audio interviews and never-before-seen footage.
And if you’re hooked on Ryan Murphy’s work, you might also want to revisit his previous Monsters instalment on Jeffrey Dahmer—it’s just as dark and controversial.
Key Takeaway: Whether you’re Team Menendez or Team Murphy, one thing’s for sure: true crime shows like Monsters are here to stay, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.
