If you’re feeling frustrated with Monster Season 2, officially titled Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, you are not alone. Ryan Murphy appears to have made a significant error with his new true crime series.
The latest season of the Netflix series is turning out to be as contentious as the first, which many viewed as sympathetic towards its subject, the notorious cannibalistic serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.
Monster Season 2 shifts focus to the Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, who infamously killed their parents, Kitty and Jose, in their Beverly Hills mansion back in 1989. While the series does possess certain strengths—Murphy’s storytelling prowess and his ability to assemble remarkable casts—it often lacks the necessary nuance that true crime narratives demand, opting instead for sensationalism that could potentially impact the Menendez brothers’ ongoing legal battles.
Lyle Menendez is Portrayed as the Villain
What is the cardinal rule for dramatizing a true crime story? Always adhere to the facts. While some elements might be embellished for dramatic purposes, Monster Season 2 characterizes Lyle Menendez as a stereotypical yuppie.
Depicted as a coke-snorting, short-tempered sociopath focused solely on his base desires, this portrayal strays far from reality. Although it fits the profile of a spoiled rich kid from the ’80s, there is no substantial evidence that Lyle ever used cocaine.
During the initial trials, Lyle was often described as more dominant than his brother Erik and exhibited a rebellious nature. Their teenage antics included burglarizing the homes of affluent neighbors, which culminated in Erik being sent to Dr. Jerome Oziel, the controversial therapist who recorded their confessions.
However, friends and family members who testified during the trials painted a more nuanced picture of Lyle’s character. Donovan Goodreau, a Princeton friend, testified that Lyle was “generous,”recalling how he would share what little money he had with friends.
Additionally, the brothers’ cousin, Diane Vander Molen, who believes the brothers suffered abuse at the hands of their father, described instances of Lyle seeking comfort by asking her to sleep in her bed, implying troubling familial dynamics.
Moreover, she shared how Lyle remained attached to stuffed animals well into his teenage years, highlighting his vulnerability and the potential impact of the alleged abuse he endured.
Lyle Menendez now runs a support group for inmates who have faced sexual abuse, leads the inmate government, and is deeply involved in prison reform. The true Lyle Menendez is a good person. #MonstersNetflix #MenendezBrothers pic.twitter.com/Y8MWRBm5l2
— 𝙶𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚎 (@graveburgers) September 20, 2024
Ultimately, Lyle’s portrayal in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story tends to oversimplify him as a spoiled brat prone to outbursts. Family members of Lyle have vocally expressed discontent, asserting that Murphy has created a fictionalized version of Lyle rather than an accurate representation.
Menendez Family Criticizes “Caricature of Lyle”
At a screening event for the Netflix series, Murphy claimed (via IndieWire) that the content presented in the show is based on real events, stating, “All the stuff in here, by the way, is true. We spent many, many years researching this. Things you really can’t make up.”
Nonetheless, it seems that Monster Season 2 exaggerates or fabricates events to enhance the narrative. Aside from the cocaine scenes, multiple instances suggest inappropriate relationships between the Menendez brothers as young adults.
In Episode 2, the brothers share a dance at a party, where Erik seemingly wipes something off Lyle’s nose before putting his thumb in his mouth. A subsequent scene insinuates they take a shower together, which, while framed as a rumor propagated by a reporter with a hidden agenda, raises questions about its relevance to the overall story.
Robert Rand, author of the definitive 2018 book on the Menendez brothers, informed The Hollywood Reporter that the brothers were “traditional jocks who did not do drugs” and labeled the incest insinuations as “false.”
The Menendez brothers have accused their father, Jose, of years of abuse.
Family members and viewers alike have taken to social media to express their outrage over these portrayals. One post on Lyle’s Facebook page slammed the creators for their alleged fabrication of a narrative surrounding the trauma of abuse, stating, “So these ‘writers/creators’ got up in the morning, ate their cornflakes, and went to an office where they decided to lie about rape survivors who have suffered every single day of their life.”
They went on to criticize the portrayal of the brothers, labeling it laughable and harmful. Additionally, they pointed out that there was substantial evidence of abuse in the original trial, which they believe should have been sufficient material to construct a truthful narrative.
Erik himself has publicly defended Lyle, with his wife Tammi Menendez sharing a statement on her X/Twitter account. Erik remarked on the misrepresentation of Lyle’s character as “a caricature rooted in horrible and blatant lies rampant in the show,” suggesting that Murphy cannot be unaware of how distorted the facts of their lives have been portrayed.
Erik’s response to the Netflix series: #NetflixMonsters #Netflix #RyanMurphy pic.twitter.com/Xz1waxA2u3
— Tammi Menendez (@TammiMenendez1) September 20, 2024
“It is disheartening to witness Netflix’s dishonest portrayal of the tragedies surrounding our crime, regressing the painful truths we have fought to reveal,”Erik added, expressing gratitude to supporters.
On social media, some viewers echoed concerns about how the series has trivialized the Menendez brothers’ experiences. One Reddit user commented that the narrative inaccurately portrayed the brothers’ relationship, while another voiced disdain over the sexualization of their traumatic experiences.
Potential Impact on the Menendez Brothers’ Pursuit of Justice
It’s essential to highlight that during the second trial, the judge prohibited expert testimony regarding the alleged abuse, rendering this critical aspect absent from the court proceedings. Legally, Ryan Murphy appears to have navigated this aspect correctly.
However, Erik and Lyle Menendez are currently advocating for their freedom from prison, and there is growing concern that the series might affect their appeal. In 2023, their lawyer, Cliff Gardner, submitted a habeas petition, which requests a court review of the legality of their detention.
The hope is that new evidence supporting their abuse claims may lead to the overturning of their first-degree murder convictions, replacing them with manslaughter charges, thereby paving the way for their release.
One of the many distressing letters referenced in their legal claims quotes Erik expressing deep fear and anxiety about their father. He mentions having sleepless nights, scared that Jose might come in, and feeling threatened about revealing the truth.
Moreover, an affidavit from Roy Rossello, a former member of the boy band Menudo, alleges that he was raped by Jose Menendez during the ’80s, adding weight to the accusations against him.
Public perception is crucial at this juncture. By depicting Lyle Menendez as a drug-fueled, emotionless caricature and weaving in sensationalized scenarios, Monster Season 2 may inadvertently diminish the gravity of the abuse they allege to have faced.
A letter from Erik to his cousin supports the new evidence presented by their legal counsel.
For those interested in understanding the authentic story behind the Menendez brothers, the original trials—which contained extensive testimony before the judge restricted discussions of alleged abuse—are accessible through Court TV.
Furthermore, a new Netflix documentary focused on the Menendez brothers is set to premiere on October 9, alongside other noteworthy documentaries like Menendez Brothers: Misjudged and Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed.
Should you choose to watch Monster Season 2, it’s wise to stay vigilant, as Murphy has shown a penchant for storytelling that may overshadow the truth.
For additional insights into the case, consider exploring expert discussions on the Menendez brothers’ fight for justice, as well as understanding the financial legacy left by Jose Menendez prior to his death. Don’t forget to check out some of the most eye-opening documentaries available on Netflix.
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