In 2022, the Netflix series Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story was a worldwide success. The series sparked intense discussions and strong criticism of those responsible for the Dahmer season because it ruthlessly portrayed the atrocities of the notorious serial killer. At the same time, the production set immense records with Evan Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer.
Since its release on September 21, 2022, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story has become one of the few Netflix productions to have been streamed more than a billion hours in less than 60 days (as reported by Netflix itself). Given this success, it is little surprise that series creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan have planned monster anthology.
The second part of the monster series has been available on Netflix since September 19, 2024 – this time focusing on the story of Lyle and Erik Menendez.
The most exciting question: Who were Lyle and Erik Menendez?
While Jeffrey Dahmer was already relatively well-known before the Netflix success through numerous books, documentaries and television reports, Lyle and Erik Menendez are relatively unknown in Germany. Netflix announces the series launch as “captivating true crime drama” which highlights the lives of the Menendez brothers. They were nominated for the brutal murder of her parents in Beverly Hills. But who were these brothers and how did the murders happen?
Lyle and Erik Menendez were the sons of José Menendez, a successful entertainment executive, and his wife Kitty Menendez. Although the family lived in luxury, it was characterized by deep inner conflicts. Behind the shiny facade lay a dark secret, as the New York Times writes in a detailed report.
The brothers, both talented tennis players, grew up under the enormous pressure of their overly competitive and emotionally abusive father Erik, who suffered particularly under this pressure, committed a series of burglaries in 1988 and took part in forensic therapy.
The series is not only about the murder of the parents, but according to Yahoo also rumors and mysteries surrounding the entire family. For example, there were accusations of sexual abuse against the father, José Menendez. He is said to have raped boy band member Roy Rosselló when he was 14 years old. The monster series once again deals with extremely heinous atrocities and will present further depths of humanity.
True background: Lyle and Eric murdered their parents with 15 shots
On August 20, 1989, José and Kitty were brutally murdered. The brothers claimed to have discovered the murderwhen they returned from a night at the movies. The gruesome act, in which 15 shots were fired, initially made the police think it was a mob attack. In the months following the crime, Lyle and Erik lived conspicuously luxurious lives, which aroused suspicion.
Through the Exposing her secret confessions in therapy sessions and the subsequent trials that began in 1993, the brothers were presented to the nation in a media-driven spectacle.
Both were Convicted of murder in 1996 and received life sentences without the possibility of parole. Today, after decades in prison, Lyle and Erik continue to live lives in the spotlight – with ongoing interest in their tragic and cruel story.
The series will consist of nine episodes – and features brilliant actors
The Netflix series about the Menendez brothers and their murder will have a total of nine episodes. The main roles are
Nicholas Chavez
as Lyle Menendez and
Cooper Cook
represented by Erik Menendez.
Chavez was awarded an Emmy at a young age for his role in the ABC soap opera General Hospital. You might know Koch from the queer body horror film Swallowed, among others. Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan were able to attract two excellent actors, as they did with Evan Peters as Dahmer. The better-known and more talented award winners are in the roles of the parents: Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men) and Chloe Sevigny (Boys Don’t Cry) can be seen.
Series executives Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan have worked together on numerous series, including their run on Glee. They also created the horror comedy Scream Queens and the Netflix series Ratched about a monstrous nurse.
Monster: Lyle & Eric will be available to stream on Netflix from September 19, 2024.