Creator Ryan Murphy defends Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story following statements from the Menendez family. The show, which is part of Murphy’s anthology, looks into the controversial case of the Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, who were convicted of murdering their parents in 1989. The series seeks to give different viewpoints on the case, including the brothers’ allegations of abuse. Since its premiere, the installment has become controversial, with the Menendez family commenting that it’s a “dishonest portrayal” and a “grotesque shockadrama.“
In a response to Variety, Murphy addressed the family’s new statement on social media via Erik’s wife Tammi. The series creator defended the show’s accuracy and even found the family’s response predictable. He called the family out for saying the show was a lie without giving any evidence to support those claims.
“The family’s response is predictable at best, I find it interesting because I would like specifics about what they think is shocking or not shocking. It’s not like we’re making any of this stuff up. It’s all been presented before. What we’re doing is we’re the first to present it in one contained ecosystem. What’s grotesque about it? … Tammi [and] the family, they have always done this, and they did this recently — they say, ‘lies after lies’ — but then they don’t say what the lies are. They don’t back up anything.”
Murphy continued defending the series, claiming that it presents different points of view and opinions for viewers to form their conclusions about the boys’ guilt or innocence. He added that he believes Monsters has been pivotal for the Menendez brothers, calling it “the best thing that has happened to them in 30 years.“
“They are now being talked about by millions of people all over the world. There’s a documentary coming out into two weeks about them, also on Netflix. And I think the interesting thing about it is it’s asking people to answer the questions, ‘Should they get a new trial? Should they be let out of jail? What happens in our society? Should people be locked away for life? Is there no chance ever at rehabilitation?’ I’m interested in that, and a lot of people are talking about it. We’re asking really difficult questions, and it’s giving these brothers another trial in the court of public opinion. From what I can tell, it’s really opened up the possibility that this evidence that they claim that they have, maybe that there is going to be a way forward for them.”
Murphy Has No Plans To Meet The Menendez Brothers In Prison
Cooper Koch, who portrayed Erik, recently revealed that he first spoke to Erik Menendez the night before the Netflix series premiered. He later met Erik and Lyle alongside Kim Kardashian during a prison visit to discuss reform. However, unlike Koch, Murphy explained he has no interest in directly engaging with the convicted brothers. The creator expressed his respect for Kardashian’s work in prison reform but emphasized that his role is to tell the story, not become an advocate for Erik and Lyle, stating, “That’s not my job… but I wish them well.”
Murphy said that if the Menendez brothers’ trial had taken place today, they might have received a lesser manslaughter conviction and a shorter term. He called the second trial a “travesty,“ referring to the exclusion of evidence, and criticized the behavior of the male jurors, implying that they were homophobic and dismissive of the concept of male sexual abuse. Murphy claimed that this oversight was a serious mistake and that any additional information should be heard.
Monsters Has Already Created An Impact On Audience Response
Netflix Is Also Releasing A Documentary.
Even with the controversy, there has been an immediate response to the series since its premiere. For instance, a Change.org petition pleading for an appeal for the Menendez brothers’ case went viral after the premiere, garnering over 320,000 signatures.
Netflix is also set to release a new documentary called The Menendez Brothers on October 7. This documentary will allow the brothers to explain what happened that night in their own words. It will feature brand-new audio interviews with Erik and Lyle, as well as testimony from their cousin Diane Vander Molen and prosecutor Pamela Bozanich. Although Ryan Murphy’s Monsters has stirred quite a controversy online, it will also serve as the gateway for the public to learn more about the case, and the newfound evidence.
Source: Variety
