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The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story – Monsters

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47% Tomatometer 30 Reviews 55% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Story the lives of the Menendez brothers, convicted of the brutal 1989 murders of their parents in Beverly Hills.
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Monsters — The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

Monsters — The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

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Critics Consensus

Well-acted but off-puttingly sordid, Monsters leaves viewers feeling guilty without enough pleasure to compensate.

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Critics Reviews

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Inkoo Kang The New Yorker The astoundingly prolific showrunner melds his modes as provocateur and clumsy social-justice warrior, with mixed results. Oct 8, 2024 Full Review Craig Mathieson The Age (Australia) The second season of Ryan Murphy’s biographical crime anthology literally doesn’t know when to stop. If you want to credit this to ambition, then there are rewards... but if you lean towards lurid excess, Monsters certainly incriminates itself. Rated: 2.5/5 Sep 27, 2024 Full Review Dan Einav Financial Times Monsters proves itself capable of confronting a complex case with sensitivity — which makes its increasing sensationalism and salaciousness all the more frustrating. Rated: 3/5 Sep 27, 2024 Full Review John Paul King Washington Blade While it may not be the right show for every taste, it’s not “trash TV” either. It’s a bold and challenging work from one of our most prolific and dedicated queer showmen... Oct 29, 2024 Full Review Hannah Brown Jerusalem Post While the Menendez brothers’ story is undeniably interesting, I found the characters were all people I didn’t want to spend time with, whether or not there was a miscarriage of justice. Oct 11, 2024 Full Review Jackie K. Cooper jackiekcooper.com It may be repugnant but it is also fascinating. Rated: 7/10 Oct 11, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Tayba S Terrible, terrible, terrible, it’s like Ryan Murphy read a Wikipedia page on the Menendez brothers and made a movie on it, disgusting is what the show is. The way the brothers are perceived is horrible and is romanticised in all the wrong ways, I don’t know why Ryan Murphy felt the need to make bits of comedy, this is the worst show for the only reason that THIS HAPPEND IN REAL LIFE, ITS REAL PEOPLE. Not a joke that you can ‘Hollywod-ise’ Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 12/02/24 Full Review Bev H I was so sceptical about these brothers but after watching Monsters, I believe more than ever they have well and truly done their time after 35 years. Sad but true, their parents had it coming. Horrible excuse for humans and parents 🤬 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/27/24 Full Review J S Netflix’s Monsters series, with its latest installment focusing on the infamous Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, delivers a gripping, haunting retelling of a case that captivated the world in the 1990s. Titled Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, this episode digs deep into the psychological complexity of the brothers, whose brutal murder of their wealthy parents in 1989 shocked the public and raised unsettling questions about trauma, privilege, and family secrets. The series does an excellent job of balancing courtroom drama with intimate glimpses into the brothers' troubled past. Lyle and Erik, played with compelling nuance by the talented cast, are portrayed not just as the "monsters" the media once branded them, but as deeply flawed and complex individuals whose actions are framed within a context of abuse and manipulation. The show doesn't shy away from exploring the ambiguity of their motivations—were they truly defending themselves from years of sexual and physical abuse at the hands of their father, or were they cold-blooded killers driven by greed and entitlement? What makes Monsters particularly effective is its ability to raise moral questions without offering simple answers. The series encourages viewers to ask: How much of their actions were shaped by the horrors they endured? How much of it was the result of their privileged upbringing and the sense of entitlement that came with it? While the show doesn’t definitively answer these questions, it expertly challenges the notion of the Menendez brothers as one-dimensional villains. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/26/24 Full Review Russian B Been really enjoying these more recent Ryan Murphy series that are based on true events such as "Feud", "Monsters" and Versace. This one is no exception! Great acting, entertaining and at times even a bit humorous. I understand why some people think these types of shows or films shouldn't be made and I genuinely sympathize because it is dark when you actually think about it, but my unbiased take is that it's simply good television. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/18/24 Full Review Clint N Ridiculous depiction. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 11/17/24 Full Review Fiore G Even if I love Chavez, it wasn't as intreteining as the first season Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/16/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Monsters — The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

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Cast & Crew

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 19, 2024 Blame It on the Rain Plagued by dark thoughts after the murders, Erik opens up to his therapist and shares disturbing details that put the doctor in a difficult position. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 19, 2024 Spree After throwing suspicion elsewhere during police questioning, Lyle and Erik go on a wild spending spree while waiting for Jose's will to be read. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 19, 2024 Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? The brothers navigate life behind bars after police receive a tip-off about the tapes; a new defense attorney prompts Erik to talk about the past. Details Episode 4 Aired Sep 19, 2024 Kill or Be Killed Lyle shares painful memories of trying to live up to his father's expectations, detailing the timeline and impact of Jose's abuse and its effect on Erik. Details Episode 5 Aired Sep 19, 2024 The Hurt Man During an emotional conversation with Leslie, Erik gives a harrowing account of the sexual abuse and torture he experienced throughout his childhood. Details Episode 6 Aired Sep 19, 2024 Don't Dream It's Over The trajectory of Jose and Kitty's relationship, from their courtship through their fracturing marriage, plays out against family therapy sessions. Details Episode 7 Aired Sep 19, 2024 Showtime Lyle and Erik struggle to shape their defense before the trial; Menendez mania hits, from cheering crowds to fan mail and courtroom TV cameras. Details Episode 8 Aired Sep 19, 2024 Seismic Shifts A captivating witness alters courtroom dynamics, and Erik's testimony causes a sibling rift; the Menendez pop-culture moment begins to fade. Details Episode 9 Aired Sep 19, 2024 Hang Men At a second trial, the prosecution aims to prove that Erik and Lyle are cold-blooded killers; after the verdict, the brothers face a new reality. Details
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Season Info

Creator
Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 19, 2024
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