Netflix’s Monsters boss responds to backlash from Erik Menéndez

As a devoted fan of Ryan Murphy’s work and someone who has been deeply moved by his portrayal of complex and often controversial stories, I find myself at a crossroads with “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.” On one hand, I appreciate the nuanced exploration of the brothers’ experiences and their claims of abuse. On the other, I can understand Erik Menéndez’s concerns about the show’s potential to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and misinformation.


The following article references emotional, physical and sexual abuse.

Netflix’s Monsters co-creator Ryan Murphy has responded to backlash from the real Erik Menéndez.

Last week, I voiced my disapproval towards Murphy and his collaborator, Ian Brennan, on how they portrayed the trial of the Menéndez brothers, who were accused of killing their parents, José and Kitty Menéndez.

The Menendez brothers argue that the demise of their parents was a result of prolonged instances of physical, mental, and sexual abuse within the household. In 1996, they were found guilty of premeditated murder and conspiring to commit this crime.

In a social media post, Erik Menéndez criticized Ryan Murphy for an “untruthful representation” in the series Monsters, implying that the show perpetuated the unjustified and damaging character depictions of the siblings that have been present since their trial.

Netflix's Monsters boss responds to backlash from Erik Menéndez

He strongly implies that these actions were deliberate. With sadness, I express my belief that Ryan Murphy isn’t unaware or incorrect about the details of our lives to such an extent that he would portray them inaccurately without malicious intentions.

As a gamer, it’s disheartening for me to learn that Netflix’s depiction of the crimes we’re talking about has misrepresented the heartrending events. Unfortunately, this portrayal seems to have moved us backwards – not just in time, but also in understanding. It appears they’ve constructed a narrative based on outdated beliefs that males were seldom victims of sexual abuse and their traumatic experiences from rape were different from those of women. This is a significant step back in our progress towards recognizing and addressing these issues accurately.

Addressing those who’ve been vocal about their criticism, I’d like to share that Murphy recently reached out to Entertainment Tonight, encouraging Erik to give the full series a watch before passing judgment on it.

Murphy commented on the intrigue he feels when someone offers a statement without having watched the show. What catches his attention, but isn’t mentioned in the quote, is that approximately 60-65% of each episode’s script revolves around the characters’ claimed experiences of abuse.

Netflix's Monsters boss responds to backlash from Erik Menéndez

“And we do it very carefully and we give them their day in court and they talk openly about it.”

Murphy admitted that the theme of “Monsters” might spark debate, yet he believed it crucial to present the viewpoints of the brothers as well as those of their deceased parents, offering a balanced perspective.

Two individuals have passed away. I’d like to know about their parents. As narrators, it was our duty to provide insights from their point of view too, which we managed by conducting thorough research,” he contended.

Ryan made another debatable artistic decision by hinting at a potential incestuous relationship between the siblings, which was suggested in Dominick Dunne’s 1994 coverage of the case for Vanity Fair.

Murphy stated, “If you’re tuning into the series, it delves into various perspectives and theories held by those involved in the case. Dominick Dunne has written extensively about one such theory, and our production aims to convey his viewpoint. It was our responsibility to include all these aspects, and we have done so.

Netflix's Monsters boss responds to backlash from Erik Menéndez

The real Erik and Lyle Menendez

In an upcoming documentary, the Menéndez brothers will be given an opportunity to share their perspective on the well-known tale.

After the debut of “Monsters”, Netflix revealed that Lyle and Erik participated in interviews related to the movie, “The Menendez Brothers”, which is helmed by director Alejandro Hartmann.

Currently, the series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” is available for streaming on Netflix. On October 7th, the documentary titled “The Menendez Brothers” will premiere on the same platform.

Should you find yourself impacted by the matters discussed in this article, additional resources can be found at Rape Crisis England and Wales’ website, where they strive to eradicate all types of sexual violence and misconduct. You may also reach out to them via their National Rape Crisis Helpline at 0808 802 9999. For those in Scotland, Rape Crisis Scotland’s helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.

People living in the United States are invited to reach out to RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline, which can be contacted at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

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2024-09-25 23:19

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