Erik and Lyle Menendez are brothers who infamously murdered their parents, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, on August 20, 1989 in their Beverly Hills home. Over the past 35 years, their case has been the subject of numerous documentaries and series. Recently, Netflix released a series, Monsters, that explores various perspectives surrounding the motivations behind the brothers’ actions. Despite quickly gaining popularity after its September 19 premiere, the show has received mixed to negative reviews from critics.
In a two-star review, Jesse Hassenger of The Guardian described the series as “exhausting and repetitive,” while Aramide Tinubu from Variety noted that, “Despite the gripping subject matter and outstanding performances, [the show] has no idea what it wants to be. It dissolves into a retelling of unspeakable abuses and gruesome crimes.”
Erik himself criticized Netflix’s production shortly after its release, calling it “disheartening slander.” He expressed disappointment over the portrayal of Lyle, stating that it creates a caricature based on “horrible and blatant lies.” He questioned the intent behind such portrayals, suggesting that Ryan Murphy, the show’s creator, could not be so naïve about the facts of their lives.
Erik lamented that Netflix’s depiction of the tragedies surrounding their crime has regressed the conversation back to an era when the prosecution dismissed the possibility of male sexual abuse, perpetuating misconceptions about how men experience trauma compared to women. He emphasized that many brave victims have since come forward to challenge these damaging narratives, highlighting the need for more accurate representations of their experiences.
Ironically, in a twist that can only happen in Hollywood, the docuseries could be the catalyst for getting the two brothers resentenced and released. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón has recommended resentencing for Lyle and Erik Menendez, who are each serving life in prison without parole. The judge and the parole board will make the final decision and must also approve their release, Gascón said, as the brothers’ family and Erik Menendez’s wife looked on. Gascón said he hopes to get a hearing on the docket within 30 to 45 days.
