Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
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Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

"Are they monsters?"

7.6
Yr 2024
Status Ended
Drama Crime
Your Verdict

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Series Brief

Overview

The story of the Menéndez brothers, who were convicted in 1996 of murdering their parents José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menéndez.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 45 /100

Critical reception for Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is polarized, centering on the tension between its high-caliber acting and its controversial, often sensationalist approach to true crime. Many reviewers lauded the central performances, particularly those of Cooper Koch and Nicholas Chavez, for their depth and emotional intensity. However, the show faced significant criticism for its tonal inconsistencies, with some critics describing the series as campy, exploitative, and ultimately trivializing to the real-life subjects.

While some found the series' multifaceted attempt to examine the cycle of abuse to be compelling, others argued that the show's preoccupation with salacious storytelling undermined its credibility. The consensus suggests a production that succeeds as a dark, entertaining spectacle but fails to provide a respectful or factually rigorous examination of the tragedy it depicts.

“The depictions of Erik and Lyle are equally gripping.”

“Fractured but flamboyant, fragile yet frivolous, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is a dissatisfying experience.”

“A salacious and exploitative retelling that finds its soul through stellar performances.”

“Monsters paints Lyle and Erik Menendez in a comical light, giving this season a tone that is almost campy.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Netflix
US • CA • UK
Netflix Standard with Ads
CA • US • UK
Why fans love it

The 2024 miniseries explores the complex relationship between Lyle and Erik Menendez against the backdrop of a privileged life in Beverly Hills. By examining the lead-up to the 1996 conviction, the drama places significant focus on the internal dynamic between the brothers and the long-term impact of their experiences with an abusive parent.

Cooper Koch helps ground the narrative as it navigates the tension between the public perception of the killings and the brothers' own accounts of the event. The series avoids a simple procedural structure to highlight the specific familial pressures and psychological environment that preceded the parricide. It serves as a stylistic character study that centers on why two brothers eventually committed such a crime.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 11
Longest run 9 eps
Javier Bardem
Javier Bardem
as José Menendez
9 episodes
Chloë Sevigny
Chloë Sevigny
as Mary Louise 'Kitty' Menendez
9 episodes
Cooper Koch
Cooper Koch
as Erik Menendez
9 episodes
Nicholas Alexander Chavez
Nicholas Alexander Chavez
as Lyle Menendez
9 episodes
Dallas Roberts
Dallas Roberts
as Dr. Jerome Oziel
6 episodes
Jason Butler Harner
Jason Butler Harner
as Det. Les Zoeller
4 episodes
Leslie Grossman
Leslie Grossman
as Judalon Smyth
5 episodes
Jeff Perry
Jeff Perry
as Peter Hoffman
3 episodes
Show 67 more
Marlene Forte as Marta Cano 6 episodes Jade Pettyjohn as Jamie Pisarcik 3 episodes Tanner Stine as Perry Berman 2 episodes Ethan Bell as Cowboy (Trick-or-Treater) 1 episode Kamy D. Bruder as Chauffeur 2 episodes Mara Casey as Marzi Eisenberg 3 episodes Jaja Corral as Yoda (Trick-or-Treater) 1 episode Max Hawksford as Coach 2 episodes Grayson Thorne Kilpatrick as Half-Assed Zombie (Trick-or-Treater) 1 episode Lorraine Lerner as Gun Store Clerk 1 episode Jack Perry as Umpire 2 episodes Jake Reiner as KTLA Reporter 1 episode Tracey Silver as Mrs. Hoffman 1 episode Sarah Summers as Big 5 Clerk 2 episodes Leanne Suter as CBS 2 Reporter 1 episode Ashley Sutton as Wine Rep 2 episodes Jim Cody Williams as Old Man 1 episode Enrique Murciano as Carlos Baralt 3 episodes Larry Clarke as Brian Andersen 5 episodes Drew Powell as Det. Tom Linehan 2 episodes Charlie Hall as Craig Cignarelli 4 episodes Rick Holmes as Randolph Wright 1 episode Ron Bottitta as Chief Marvin Iannone 1 episode Shelby Lee as AMC Girl (archive footage) 2 episodes Walter Belenky as Officer Czarnocki 1 episode Christopher Christian as BHPD Officer 1 episode Justin Cuomo as Motorcycle Cop 1 episode Johnny D'Esposito as Gang Member 1 episode Anthony Elfonzia as Locksmith 1 episode Andy Fitzgerald as Mark Heffernan 2 episodes Brittany Freeth as Uniformed Officer 1 episode Gregory Gast as Coroner 1 episode Peter A. Hulne as Sergeant West 1 episode Jason Jia as Cop 1 episode Don O. Knowlton as Dan Stanton 1 episode Gisela Kovach as Zsa Zsa Gabor 1 episode Isabella Rose Landau as Oziel's Daughter 1 episode Vanessa Lua as Flor 2 episodes Ryan Maltz as Billy Wright 1 episode Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson 6 episodes Nathan Lane as Dominick Dunne 5 episodes Michael Gladis as Tim Rutten 3 episodes Gil Ozeri as Dr. William Vicary 2 episodes Blanca Araceli as Grandma Maria 6 episodes Brad Culver as Gerald Chaleff 2 episodes Earlene Davis as Sharon 2 episodes Jacob Figueroa as Edwards 2 episodes Nathen Gurrola as Andy Cano 4 episodes Layne Herrin as Glenn Stevens 2 episodes Kristin Lindquist as Joyce 3 episodes Chloe Oloren as Noelle 2 episodes Labrandon Shead as Miller 4 episodes Jess Weixler as Jill Lansing 3 episodes Joseph Culp as Boat Captain 3 episodes Milana Vayntrub as Pam Bozanich 2 episodes Melissa Bailey as Juror #8 2 episodes Andrea Cañizares-Fernandez as Juror #4 2 episodes Helen Duffy as Clerk 2 episodes Peggy Dunne as Juror #5 2 episodes Mark Kelly as Norton 3 episodes Joyce King as Juror #10 2 episodes Ross Mackenzie as Judge Weisberg 3 episodes Miguel Pérez as Peter Cano 3 episodes Luke Matthew Simon as Cousin Al 3 episodes Zabeth Russell as Juror #1 2 episodes Ruben Vernier as Brian Eslaminia 2 episodes James Hunter as Police Detective (uncredited) 2 episodes
Production Board

Crew

Assistant Art Director
Courtney Laine Koller Kristy West
"A" Camera Operator
Dennis Dwyer Simon Jayes
Creator
Ryan Murphy
Assistant Costume Designer
Shannon Campbell
Set Decoration Buyer
Ashley Rice Karen Riemenschneider
Set Designer
Kristen Davis
Director of Photography
Jason McCormick Barry Idoine
Leadman
Jeff Murff
Construction Coordinator
Will Thayer
Production Design
Matthew Flood Ferguson
Digital Imaging Technician
James Petersmeyer
Art Direction
Craig Keller
Supervising Art Director
Helen Harwell
Costume Design
Paula Bradley
Grip
Erik F. Hill
Camera Loader
Jason Head
Key Makeup Artist
Michael Ornelaz
Dolly Grip
Matt Perry
Set Decoration
Melissa Licht
Key Hair Stylist
Brittany Madrigal Elissa Ruminer
Other
John Reynolds
Key Grip
Ray Garcia
Makeup Department Head
Miho Suzuki
Hair Department Head
Karen Bartek
Makeup Artist
Ana Lozano
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

based on true story miniseries privileged life brother brother relationship parricide brothers abusive parent
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
September 19, 2024
Status
Ended
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
537