Ryan Murphy, the visionary behind the gripping Netflix series "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story," has come forward to vigorously defend his latest creation amidst fierce criticism from one of the central figures himself, Erik Menendez. From behind bars, Erik lashed out at the show, branding it a "tangle of blatant lies" and lamenting the "devastating" portrayal of his brother, Lyle, in a statement issued by his wife.
The series delves into the chilling tale of the 1989 shotgun slayings of Jose and Kitty Menendez in their Beverly Hills mansion, and the subsequent trials that ensnared their sons. Lyle, now 56, and Erik, 53, were convicted of their parents' murders in 1996, following two trials, and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole, where they still reside in a California correctional facility.
In a swift response to Erik's scathing remarks on Monday, Murphy addressed E! News with a note of intrigue. "I'm aware he hasn't actually viewed the series, which piques my curiosity," he remarked. "I sincerely hope he does give it a chance. I believe if he did, he would be immensely proud of Cooper Koch's portrayal of him." This season marks the second installment of Murphy's "Monsters" anthology, following his exploration of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.
"Our endeavor with this show is to unravel a myriad of perspectives," Murphy elaborated. "Each episode introduces a fresh theory, grounded in the experiences and insights of those intimately involved or who covered the case." Acknowledging the show's true-crime foundation, he added, "We all know the grim outcome, but our aim is to present the facts and encourage viewers to form their own judgments on innocence, guilt, and the very essence of monstrosity. Moreover, we strive to spark a dialogue on a taboo topic in our society—male sexual abuse, which we approach with utmost responsibility."
The Menendez brothers had previously claimed in court that years of sexual abuse by their father had driven them to commit the heinous crime out of fear and trauma. Prosecutors, however, argued that greed for their parents' fortune was the true motive. These abuse allegations were ultimately deemed inadmissible in their second joint trial.
"A substantial chunk of our show—around 60 to 65%—revolves around Erik and Lyle's harrowing accounts of abuse, their victimization, and the emotional turmoil it inflicted," Murphy emphasized. "These characters on our show are granted their moment in the spotlight, and beyond."
Unfazed by controversy, Murphy confessed, "I'm no stranger to stirring up debates with my work. I delve into provocative and contentious subjects, adhering to the mantra, 'never complain, never explain.'"
Erik's statement, released on Thursday, echoed his disappointment, stating, "I had hoped we'd surpassed the realm of deceitful characterizations that marred Lyle's image, only to find the show perpetuating a caricature rooted in blatant falsehoods. It saddens me to think this was done intentionally. Ryan Murphy cannot be so naive or inaccurate about our lives' realities without malicious intent."
He further lamented, "It's heartbreaking to witness Netflix regressing our story's painful truths, revisiting an era where the prosecution dismissed male sexual abuse and its traumatic aftermath, mirroring a societal belief that differed vastly from women's experiences."
