Explaining the Ending of Monsters: The Lyle & Erik Menendez Story

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story has concluded its gripping journey after nine episodes, culminating in an extraordinary finale.

After the jury remained deadlocked during their first trial, the Menendez brothers were given a second opportunity at a trial in what serves as the penultimate episode of Ryan Murphy’s acclaimed true crime series. Although the outcome was not what they had hoped for, various extenuating factors relegated their case from the spotlight.

The narrative briefly shifts to highlight the life of O.J. Simpson, who stood trial in 1994 for the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend, Ron Goldman, creating a surprising pivot in the storyline. As the controversial verdict regarding O.J. Simpson opens the episode, Lyle (portrayed by Nicholas Chavez) and Erik (played by Cooper Koch) are gearing up for their second trial in 1995.

This television drama delves into the landmark case that captivated the public, igniting a modern-day obsession with true crime, and, in doing so, poses the provocative question: Who are the real monsters?

But how does the series wrap up? Here is an in-depth analysis of the final episode of Netflix’s dramatized account of the Menendez brothers’ saga, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

What Happens in the Boat Scene at the End of Monsters?

In a poignant scene from Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Jose and Kitty prepare to go shark fishing on their yacht while having an intimate conversation just before the credits roll. Jose expresses how much she means to him and apologizes for his past betrayals, suggesting she return to journalism to support his ambition to become a senator. Although they attempt to reconcile, Lyle and Erik remain suspicious from the back of the boat, believing their parents might be plotting to harm them.

When Kitty questions their absence, Jose dismisses her concern, saying to let them be. This scene presents a hypothetical scenario where the family dynamics could have shifted if Jose had invited his sons to join them, thus alleviating their fears of malevolent intent.

However, years of abuse from their parents clouded their judgment, making it impossible for them to see their parents’ actions as anything but threatening, ultimately leading to their horrific actions.

This moment attempts to present an impartial view of the family’s relationships and the events that preceded the tragic murders. Yet, it underscores the immense damage to their bonds, complicating the interpretation of their interactions as purely amicable or hostile.

The scene invites viewers to contemplate the brothers’ viewpoint, suggesting their paranoia stemmed from years of abuse, showcasing how misinterpretations of parental intentions clouded their perceptions.

What Happens to Erik and Lyle at the End of Monsters?

Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch in Monsters | Source: IMDB

The finale reveals that Lyle and Erik Menendez are convicted by the jury on two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

The jury ultimately decides whether the brothers should face a life sentence without parole or the death penalty. In a dramatic turn, a juror who advocates for severe punishment collapses due to a heart attack.

Her replacement urges the jurors to consider the possibility of abuse suffered by the siblings at the hands of their parents.

Ultimately, the brothers are sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole due to the jury’s leniency. Erik’s defense attorney, Leslie Abramson, seeks to have the brothers housed together, but despite her efforts, they are relocated to separate prisons. In the end, Erik and Lyle come to terms with their fate, being transported in different vans to their respective facilities.

What Happened To Eric & Lyle Menendez & Where They Are Today?

Monsters: The Lyle & Erik Menendez Story concludes with an accurate representation of the brothers’ placements in various high-security prisons following their convictions.

In a noteworthy turn of events, both brothers were eventually housed together again in April 2018. Reports indicate that they shared a heartfelt reunion, embracing and in tears after being apart for 22 years (via NYDailyNews).

On July 2, 1996, Lyle Menendez married Anna Eriksson, but their marriage ended in divorce after she discovered his infidelity. Subsequently, he married Rebecca Sneed in the visiting area of Mule Creek State Prison a little over two years later. Erik Menendez also married Tammi Ruth Saccoman on June 12, 1999.

In 2023, the brothers filed for a hearing after new evidence surfaced, indicating that their father, Jose Menendez, had molested boy band member Roy Rosselló. Their legal team believes this new information could potentially reverse the brothers’ life sentences, highlighting Jose Menendez’s violent past (via CNN).

Monsters Season 2 True Story: How Accurate Is The Ending To Lyle & Erik’s Real-Life?

Remarkably, Monsters: The Lyle & Erik Menendez Story accurately incorporates many intricate details from the actual events. For instance, Lyle Menendez notably appears in court wearing his father’s shoes during the initial proceedings. This directly references a poignant moment at his parents’ funeral when Lyle recalled his father’s words: he would never be able to fill his shoes (via CBS News). Lyle humorously asserted, “Guess what? Today, I’m walking in my dad’s shoes.”

The Netflix series appears to depict nearly all aspects accurately, including the grim details surrounding the crime—from the brothers’ choice of weapons to their actions and conspicuous spending behaviors following the murders. Notably, the Menendez brothers were initially not regarded as suspects because law enforcement was convinced that the mafia was behind the killings, a detail emphasized in the show. However, the brothers were kept in different facilities during their trial, which is one factual discrepancy presented in the series.

Furthermore, the series refrains from delving deeply into the complex legal challenges regarding the admissibility of Dr. Ozeil’s tapes as evidence. Even in the actual trial, the defense maintained that the brothers acted in self-defense, fearing for their lives due to their parents’ alleged intent to kill them.

Notably, the series thoughtfully explores multiple relevant viewpoints during the actual legal proceedings, avoiding a one-dimensional portrayal of the brothers’ motivations and the shocking events of that fateful night.

Who Are The Real Monsters in the True Crime Series on Netflix?

Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny in Monsters | Source: IMDB

During a Netflix event, Ryan Murphy shared with an IndieWire audience that his intention in creating the Netflix series was to explore “how monsters are made, as opposed to born.” The show fulfills this vision by presenting a range of competing narratives surrounding the notorious killings.

Certain elements of the story hint at the possibility that Lyle and Erik were victims of sexual abuse by their father, while other elements expose inconsistencies in their testimonies. The series also illustrates how the biases of both the prosecution and defense shaped their perceptions of the case.

Even in its closing moments, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story highlights the brothers’ firm belief that their parents intended to harm them, stemming from their history of mistreatment.

Conversely, their parents seem utterly unaware of their sons’ psychological state.

By continually shifting the audience’s perspective with each episode, the Netflix series intentionally leaves viewers questioning who the true monster is, as only the Menendez brothers possess the complete understanding of their reality. As observers, we can only form judgments based on the evidence presented throughout the series.

Will There Be A Monster Season 3?

The announcement of a third season for Monster has already been confirmed. Season 3 will focus on Ed Gein, who was committed to a mental health institution after confessing to the murders of two women. Gein, much like the murderers depicted in the Netflix series’ earlier seasons, left an indelible mark on popular culture, influencing numerous fictional killers, including Leatherface, Norman Bates, and Buffalo Bill.

The narrative for Monster Season 3 will aim to follow the same thematic path as Monsters: The Lyle & Erik Menendez Story, deliberately refraining from making definitive conclusions since much about Ed Gein’s crimes relies on forensic speculation.

Charlie Hunnam, widely recognized for his role as Jax Teller in Sons of Anarchy, has been cast as Gein. Hunnam’s diverse acting ability makes him a fitting choice to portray the infamous American killer in the third installment of the Netflix series, even though this role significantly diverges from his typical performances.

About Monster Season 2

The second chapter of the Monster anthology series from Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan recounts another notorious case that gripped the nation in the 1990s. Debuting on Netflix on Sept. 19, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story delves into the tragic tale of two brothers who murdered their parents on August 20, 1989, and the surrounding events of this brutal crime. (Both brothers were ultimately convicted of first-degree murder, receiving life sentences without the possibility of parole.)

The initial installment of the Monster series, DAHMER — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, premiered in 2022, portraying the gruesome murders committed by Jeffrey Dahmer (played by Evan Peters) between 1978 and 1991. DAHMER achieved unprecedented success on Netflix, garnering 1 billion viewing hours within the first 60 days of its release. The 10-episode show is among only four series, alongside Stranger Things and Squid Game, to reach such a milestone. Following the initial success, Monster was greenlit for two additional seasons focusing on infamous figures that have impacted society.

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