Ryan Murphy’s new drama on Netflix, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” is a true crime adaptation based on the high-profile 1989 murder of Jose and Kitty Menendez by their sons in Beverly Hills. The Menendez brothers admitted to murdering their parents. Therefore, the issue at trial was not who did it, but why they did it. Did the Menendez brothers murder their parents because they feared for their lives, or did they murder for financial gain?

At trial, the brothers accused their parents of committing horrific acts of abuse. In the end, both juries were deadlocked. At the third trial, the evidence of abuse was inadmissible. The brothers were ultimately convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

From a creative standpoint, this show was brilliant, well-executed, and haunting. The creator, Ryan Murphy, makes the audience feel uncomfortable at times as the brothers outline horrific details of the abuse that transpired in their multi-million dollar mansion in Beverly Hills. Over the years, this same mansion was the home to Elton John and a prince of Saudi Arabia.

The Funeral

This show opens with Lyle and Erik in a limousine, heading to their parents’ funeral at the Princeton University Chapel. Lyle attended Princeton before he was suspended for plagiarism. While lounging in the limousine, Lyle is wearing his father’s shoes, and Erik is visibly disturbed by this. Erik starts to break down and Lyle tries to comfort him by saying, “I’m filling dad’s shoes…dad would be proud of us.”

During the funeral, in Lyle’s speech, he refers to his father as a “legend, captain of industry, husband, and tennis coach.” Then, Lyle states, “I am now ready to take on your mantle and be the rock of this family.” Lyle is played by Emmy award-winning actor, Nicholas Alexander Chavez. He does an extraordinary job playing this complex role.

Episode 5: “I am the Hurt Man”

In this episode entitled “I am the Hurt Man,” actor Cooper Koch, who played Erik Menendez, delivered an outstanding performance. Ultimately, we notice a transformation in him. This entire 36-minute episode was a single-take shot, meaning it was filmed in one continuous take. The entire episode consisted of a conversation between Erik and his attorney, Leslie Abramson, played by Ari Graynor.

During the conversation, the camera gradually leaned in towards Erik. At the start of the interview, he was smiling, but by the end, his smile faded and turned to tears. He had an empty expression on his face as he described the trauma and abuse that took place in his home. His demeanor changes numerous times throughout the episode. While describing the abuse and torture, Erik said, “I am the hurt man,” and I can’t even remember a time when I wasn’t abused by my father.”

We hear about some of the most horrific and evil things that can be done to a human. Erik goes on to say, “Maybe we are sociopaths, but can you blame us?” At this point, his attorney Leslie is chopped out of the frame, and all we see is Erik’s face. His final words in this episode haunt us; he says, “I don’t know what I am, and I will never know who I am if I don’t get out of here.”

At this moment, the director makes us feel compassion for Erik because he is trapped in prison, and we wonder if he is the true victim. We are left with a sense of confusion. Ryan Murphy wants us to feel sympathy for Erik, but at the same time wonder if his story is real.

The Trial

After the first mistrial, the prosecutor instructs the jury in the next trial to “judge people by what they do.” He tells the jury that the Menendez brothers can say anything in the world, but they “need to remember what Lyle and Erik Menendez did.”

The prosecutor argued that the following special circumstances made them eligible for the death penalty: they conspired, they were lying in wait, and they committed a premeditated multiple murder.

Further, the prosecutor said that the motive for the murders was money. Their father, Jose Menendez, allegedly told Lyle and Erik he was taking them out of the will. Erik did not have a job, and the only job Lyle had was delivering pizza for a day before he was fired.

At one time, Lyle said his biggest goal in life was to own a Rolex watch. Therefore, the prosecution argued that the brothers planned to commit these murders before they were removed from their father’s will.

What happened to the brothers?

After they were convicted in 1996, they didn’t see each other for twenty years. Phone calls between the two were prohibited in prison. They finally reunited in 2018 when Erik was transferred to Lyle’s unit. Currently, they are spearheading the Green Space Project, which is aimed at creating a more beautiful living environment for prisoners.

In 2023, their attorneys filed a petition stating that their convictions should be vacated and a new hearing should be held due to the discovery of evidence. The new evidence consists of a letter Erik Menendez wrote to his cousin describing the abuse eight months before the murders took place. Their attorney argues that they should have been released a long time ago, and convicted of manslaughter instead of first-degree murder.

In the end, we are left feeling unsettled by the outcome. Ryan Murphy allows us to understand the two sides of Erik and Lyle. Ultimately, what we discover is powerful and haunting.

(If you have experienced sexual abuse, resources are available at www.wannatalkaboutit.com)