Monsters Star Describes “Obsessive” Effort to Perfect Haunting Real-Life Detail

While Netflix’s drama series centered on the Menendez brothers has faced criticism for inaccuracies, cast member Nicholas Alexander Chavez was committed to capturing one detail accurately in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

For true crime enthusiasts, few elements are as chilling as a 911 call. Lyle Menendez’s call to emergency services following the fatal shooting of his parents has become one of the most notorious, and Monsters made it a point to include this event meticulously.

Amidst backlash from viewers regarding several inaccuracies—such as the inclusion of incest subplots, which even the real Erik Menendez has criticized—the 911 call was recreated with “obsessive” attention to detail by Nicholas Alexander Chavez, who portrays Lyle in the series.

During a conversation with his co-star Chloë Sevigny about the scene, he shared that he had listened to the original call multiple times in an effort to mimic it “obsessively.”

Nicholas Alexander Chavez obsessively worked to recreate Lyle’s 911 call in this scene from Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. pic.twitter.com/EGVHcZ7jEl

— Netflix (@netflix) September 24, 2024

“There were parts of it that really, really stuck out to me,” he noted [via Netflix].

In reality, the actual 911 call was longer than the dialogue presented in Monsters, but many aspects remain true to life, particularly the sound of Erik screaming in the background and Lyle’s efforts to soothe his brother.

This moment is haunting, illustrating that regardless of the show’s controversies, the cast remains a standout feature.

Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle Menendez and Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez in Monsters on Netflix — Netflix

One X user commented: “Once again you can see how invested Nicholas is in perfecting his craft. As he watches and discusses his scenes and approach, his eyes are laser focused on the screen for anything that he can elevate the next time. That is an actor!”

“The series is honestly difficult to watch but the actors were brilliant in portraying the characters, most especially Nicholas and Cooper,” remarked another viewer.

For more insights on Monsters, including discussions about the show’s toupee and predictions on future true crime narratives that Ryan Murphy and Netflix should explore, check out the latest features. Also, be sure to explore all the other TV shows streaming this month.

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