Ryan Murphy believes he ‘did right’ by Lyle and Erik Menendez in ‘Monsters’: ‘It’s faux outrage’

As a seasoned investigator with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve come to realize that every crime story has its intricacies and peculiarities that make it unique. The Menendez brothers’ case is no exception. Having delved deep into the lives and actions of these two siblings, I can’t help but feel a sense of disbelief and sadness at the same time.

It’s undeniably true that Lyle and Erik Menendez are known for a tragic event: On August 20, 1989, they fatally shot their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in the living room of their Beverly Hills mansion.

What fueled these murders? Was it avarice, as suggested by the prosecution, or was it revenge for decades of mistreatment by their parents, as the siblings claimed?

The Netflix series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” aims to provide an answer to the question by portraying various perspectives through dramatic representation – from the parents, the brothers themselves, individuals within their family circle, and even those slightly outside it. Although this new season of Ryan Murphy’s true-crime anthology series is rooted in the actual events of the case, such as the trials (one of which resulted in a mistrial), it additionally suggests an incestuous relationship between Lyle and Erik – something that the brothers deny.

Previous week, Tammi Menendez, Erik’s spouse, shared on social media a statement from him regarding the show’s portrayal and the representation of the brothers, labeling it “inaccurate” and stating that Lyle’s character was a “caricature” based on “offensive and obvious falsehoods.” This was followed by another statement on Wednesday from members of the Menendez family, who voiced their support for the brothers and referred to the show as an “overblown shock drama.” The statement also refutes the suggestion of an incestuous relationship, a theory attributed to Dominick Dunne, the renowned Vanity Fair writer who covered the trials, as depicted in the series.

On Thursday, during a video interview, Murphy commented on the family’s response to the series: “I believe it’s feigned indignation. I think this Netflix production, this story, is the most significant event for the Menendez brothers in the last thirty years because it encourages people to discuss it and raises questions that are crucial.

One issue under consideration is whether the brothers should receive another trial with a view to being released. Last year, they presented a petition for a re-hearing, based on claims made in the Peacock documentary series “Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed” by Roy Rosselló, a former member of the Puerto Rican boy band. In this series, he alleged that he was drugged and sexually assaulted by Jose, who at that time was the head of RCA Records. Such testimony could lend credence to Lyle and Erik’s assertions that they were abused by their father.

Regarding what Murphy might convey to the brothers, he’d express his hope for their success in seeking a fresh trial: “I believe they aim to present new evidence. I think it’s essential that such evidence be considered.” Murphy’s objective with this series is to give voice to their perspective, “completely and undisturbed, which was not the case during their initial court proceedings.

Monsters” likewise endeavors to explain the period and why the brothers turned into lasting pop culture icons despite their infamous crimes. Over time, the brothers have been featured in documentaries, dramatized on various films and TV shows, and even humorously imitated in comedies and satirical series. Murphy mentioned that he relocated to Los Angeles around the time of the murders, and kept tabs on the trials throughout the years, sparking his fascination.

Murphy, the co-creator and co-showrunner, expressed that upon reflection, he found it intriguing to develop a story where the identity of the monster remained ambiguous. “Were the characters themselves the monsters? Or were the parents? In the end, I realized they all exhibited monstrous traits in their own unique ways.

The show introduces Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle and Cooper Koch as Erik, alongside Javier Bardem portraying Jose and Chloë Sevigny as Kitty. “Monsters” has dominated Netflix’s most-watched list since its debut on September 19, generating a lot of curiosity about the case and the events that transpired. The interest is expected to continue as a new documentary, titled “The Menendez Brothers,” is set to premiere on October 7 on Netflix. This documentary includes interviews with the brothers themselves, as well as their cousin Diane Vander Molen, who previously claimed that Lyle had confided in her about being abused by his father when he was a child.

One major motivation behind Murphy deciding to write about the brothers and their case was to initiate a dialogue on the topic of male sexual abuse, as well as sexual abuse in general. As he stated, “Over one weekend, the series became incredibly popular, and people worldwide are discussing this topic frequently, often for the first time, and I find that immensely rewarding.

However, the graphic depictions of sexual abuse in the series have sparked debate, not only among family members but also critics and social media users. Particularly striking is Episode 5, titled “Hurt Man,” which stands out as one of the most intense and unsettling episodes, even though it’s less visually explicit. In this episode, Koch delivers a powerful performance as Erik recounts in heart-wrenching detail his experiences of abuse at the hands of his father and brother. The scene plays like a monologue, with only occasional interruptions from Erik’s lawyer Leslie Abramson, portrayed by Ari Graynor, who probes him about the abuse. The episode was helmed by director Michael Uppendahl and co-showrunner Ian Brennan, who based it on testimonies, interviews, and court transcripts, as asserted by Murphy.

He shared an intriguing thought: “Let’s make this a single, captivating shot, so that viewers can’t divert their gaze and can only perceive his truth without any other biases.” They practiced it like a stage performance for three days, then filmed it twice in succession. The final take, the 10th one, is what’s shown in the edited version.

He mentioned that he’s exceptionally pleased with that specific episode since he believes it’s strikingly truthful about the impact of abuse, the confusion it causes, and how it affects all aspects of one’s life.

In essence, he thinks that if Erik and Lyle had seen the show, they might respond with something like, “Wow, I see. You made the right choice for me.

For several decades, The Times has delved into the case, starting with the first reports of the murders, moving through the trials and sentencing, and examining what transpired for the brothers after their conviction. Here are responses to questions about which events depicted in “Monsters” were based on real-life occurrences.

Were the brothers inspired by the film “Billionaire Boys Club”?

In “Monsters,” Lyle and Erik engage in conversations about the 1987 movie that’s loosely based on a true story – the Billionaire Boys Club, a combination of investing and social group operating in Los Angeles during the ’80s, led by Joe Hunt. Hunt was apprehended for murdering Ron Levin, an investor in the club, in 1984, and he was later found guilty of the crime. The movie portrays these events, with Judd Nelson playing Hunt’s role.

In the 1993 trial, defense attorneys attempted to suggest that the brothers were influenced by a specific movie when committing the crimes. They wanted to screen the TV movie in court as evidence, highlighting the resemblance between the film’s plot and the murders of Jose and Kitty. However, the judge declined this request.

In the latest series, you’ll find the siblings collaborating with their friend Craig Cignarelli on a script named “Friends.” This storyline portrays a wealthy couple’s son who murders his parents and goes on to commit additional killings. Interestingly, this plot was inspired by real events as reported by The Times, making it one of two screenplays written by the brothers that were crucial pieces of evidence in the murder investigation.

Did the brothers spend lavishly after they killed their parents?

Indeed, it’s been reported that the two siblings engaged in a lavish shopping extravaganza, purchasing items such as a Porsche, clothing, and various other goods, totaling over $700,000 within months following their parents’ demise. This expenditure was used against Lyle and Erik during their court proceedings. Initially, they were set to inherit approximately $14 million from their parents’ assets; however, over time, this sum diminished due to taxes and legal costs.

Did they confess the murders to their therapist, Jerome Oziel?

Absolutely!

Did Jose Menendez sexually assault his sons?

For several years, and as they testified during the trial, Lyle and Erik consistently asserted that particular incident. They referred to it as physical violence and sexual assault, which served as a crucial aspect of their defense and was presented as the driving force behind the murders of Jose and Kitty.

Multiple individuals, such as family members and friends, have reported that the brothers disclosed to them they were being mistreated. During the 1993 trial, the brothers’ cousin Andres Cano testified that Erik confided in him about his father’s abusive actions. An article by The Times on Cano’s testimony also brought up Donovan Goodreau, a former roommate of Lyle’s at Princeton, who stated that when he shared his own experience of abuse, Lyle remained silent, but the defense unveiled a 1992 recorded interview with free-lance writer Robert Rand. In this interview, Goodreau claimed that Lyle Menendez did reveal to him that their father had molested both brothers.

However, the accusations of assault were similarly contested. An article from The Times reported on Vander Molen’s court examination, mentioning that “it was admitted during their cross-examination that they confessed to defense attorneys about the abuse only following a visit to the brothers in prison.

Did Lyle assault Erik and did they have an incestuous relationship?

The brothers assert they don’t share that kind of bond. According to Murphy, he portrayed it as just one possible motive out of several for why the brothers could have murdered their parents.

How is Dunne connected to the brothers?

As a movie enthusiast looking back, I penned down my thoughts about the long-running legal saga, even delving into it during my days as a filmmaker. One of my earliest pieces, titled “Nightmare on Elm Drive,” briefly resurfaces in the series. My team and I spent countless years immersing ourselves not only in the official records but also in the myriad perspectives and theories swirling around the brothers and their heinous acts.

Did a juror really have a heart attack during deliberations?

Affirmative. Leigh Valvo was the person referred to as the jury foreman during the 1996 trial. Regrettably, Valvo had a heart attack and was subsequently replaced by alternate juror Bruce Seitz. It’s said that Seitz influenced other jurors to impose life sentences instead of the death penalty on the brothers in question.

Where are the brothers now and what has happened since their conviction?

Originally, the brothers received a life sentence without the option for parole. As the final scene of the last episode showed, Lyle was relocated to the California Correctional Institution, close to Tehachapi, and Erik ended up at the California State Prison, situated near Folsom State Prison, both being in regions not far from Sacramento. Remarkably, they were brought together again at San Diego’s Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in 2018 after spending over two decades apart.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve followed the story of Erik and Lyle closely, two brothers who have persistently fought their convictions in both state and federal courts. However, their appeals so far have not led to any changes in their verdicts. Following the release of “Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed,” they’ve made another attempt to overturn their convictions or request a new trial through a petition. This could prove to be a difficult task, as no decision has been reached yet and it remains unclear when a ruling might be made.

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2024-09-27 06:02