An image of actors Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez, portraying Erik and Lyle Menendez, has ignited a significant backlash, but not for the reasons one might assume.
Ryan Murphy is back on Netflix with Monster Season 2, officially titled Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. The series dramatizes the infamous 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, along with the highly publicized trials that ensued.
The show has already faced intense scrutiny since its release on September 19, with followers of the true crime narrative accusing it of being “astonishingly misleading” regarding the real events that took place.
Prior to the premiere of the new series, an image featuring the actors stirred criticism. While both performers have received acclaim for their portrayals, the critique lies in how Murphy has chosen to depict the events in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
A user on Reddit posted photos of Koch and Chavez at the series’ LA premiere, including one where the two are smiling and embracing. In response, another user commented, “First photo is giving engagement announcement, not Ryan Murphy true crime murder story premiere.”
Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez for the LA premiere of ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ by u/drsouchan in Fauxmoi
“This is weird and I don’t think this series should have been made,” another commenter added, while a fourth remarked, “Ryan Murphy is the last person who should be covering true crime. He lacks depth and nuance. True crime is sensitive territory, and Ryan Murphy has no sensitivity.”
Diving deeper into the discontent surrounding Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, a Reddit user noted, “For the longest time, people’s main opinions on this case were that they were horrible kids and murderers. The recent revelation that their father molested another boy and ongoing discussions regarding the treatment of male survivors of sexual abuse have led to a reevaluation of the case, as well as all the evidence that wasn’t presented during the trials, ultimately changing numerous opinions on the matter.”
“I wish this series hadn’t been made by Murphy because it warrants more serious attention from the public,” they continued.
Another individual chimed in, “Dr. Ann Burgess (the one portrayed in Mindhunter) agreed to testify for the defense in the Menendez brothers’ trial. If you watch her documentary on Hulu, she believes that both brothers endured sexual abuse at the hands of their father.”
“If you’re not familiar with her, she has been a champion for rape victims, and her research significantly contributed to victimology’s framework. Ultimately, the FBI hired her as a consultant for their Behavioral Science Unit, where she helped develop psychological profiles of serial killers.”
To explore further about the case, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is now streaming on Netflix.
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