The following story contains sensitive content that includes discussions of sexual abuse, child abuse, and incest. Some readers may find these details distressing.
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Ryan Murphy, an American director well-known for the creation of two iconic shows, Scream Queens and Glee, premiered the second season of his latest show Monsters in September. Based on true events, the Netflix series narrates a dramatised version of two brothers, Erik and Lyle Menendez, and the murder of their parents in Beverly Hills, California in 1989 as a result of abuse.
True crime has been immensely popular worldwide, due to the repetitive succession of the genre and the audience’s morbid curiosity. From the infamous investigative podcast Dateline NBC to multiple documentaries and biographies centred around some of the most gruesome cases explored from all over the world.
There have been many scandals in the true crime genre. Thanks to the producers' lack of research and understanding, the mass media has been streaming loads of lousy, overdramatised docuseries. Why does the media glorify real-life cases? And why are people fascinated with exaggerated versions of true crime cases?
The docuseries sparked controversy due to the director’s inaccuracies when informing the public audiences about the real-life case, as audiences and the press spoke out on their feelings of outrage towards the Netflix series.
Viewers expressed their disgust at Murphy’s apparent exploitation of the Menendez case for entertainment purposes. Erik Menendez's spouse, Tammi Menendez, took to Twitter on September 20 to share Erik's perspective on the series. He expressed that the depiction of his brother is "rooted in horrible and blatant lies" that permeates the entire show.
While some praised the show for shedding light on the brothers’ traumatic upbringing, others criticised it for fabricating their abuse and turning their tragedy into dramatic entertainment.
“I think it can distort the truth in our society, in some ways,” says RMIT law and ethics lecturer Fiona McIntyre.
McIntyre supports those who argue that certain true crime shows are unethical in their portrayal of cases like the Menendez brothers. She shares popular sentiments with film enthusiasts, stating that “it’s a duty of filmmakers to provide context and understanding of what leads to this extreme behaviour, and that it didn’t just come out of nowhere.” She adds, “There is a reason as to why this has happened so we can understand this as a society.” McIntyre believes that offering context and insight in series like this could play a crucial role in helping to prevent similar cases from occurring in the future.
Similarly to discussions about unethical true crime shows, Murphy’s portrayal of the Menendez brothers has contributed to a sexualised depiction of the two, catering to the queer male and female gaze. Fan-made clips across platforms like TikTok frequently emphasise the real-life brothers’ emotional vulnerability and physical appearance, which have shifted the narrative from one of trauma and victimhood to glamorising abuse victims.
This raises ethical concerns about how the mass media can blur the line between truth and entertainment, and about how sexual abuse victims are depicted on screen, potentially overshadowing the seriousness of their traumatic experiences by turning them into a spectacle.
One of the most noticeable issues in the show is the way it sexualises key moments, particularly those involving the family relationship dynamic of the two brothers.
“That could change their whole lives, and their ability to heal or to be rehabilitated. I think that’s a really serious aspect, particularly in the digital age,” says McIntyre.
In the second episode, the aftermath of the murders is explored as Erik and Lyle Menendez visit their father’s former business partner, Peter Hoffman. They discuss their parents' funeral arrangements and the potential safety risks, fueled by rumours of mafia involvement. The brothers then retreat to the Hotel Bel-Air, where their lavish spending spree begins.
Notably, the episode features a scene where both brothers appear shirtless and share a kiss, a moment that stands out for its uncomfortable blend of emotional vulnerability and over-sexualisation.
This controversial scene provokes shock by portraying an unusually intimate bond between the Menendez brothers, with the over-dramatised depiction suggesting an incestuous relationship. Experts in the Menendez brothers’ case confirmed there was no evidence of incest between the two or any indication they identified as gay. Ryan Murphy’s fanfiction-like portrayal of the brothers includes several other scenes that blur the lines of their connection, often showing them in moments of intimacy.
Significant scenes include Lyle and Erik dancing seductively together at a party to Vanilla Ice’s hit song Ice Ice Baby, following another unsettling moment when journalist Dominick Dunne, played by Nathan Lane, shares his theory on the brothers’ motive for the murders, accompanied by a visual of Erik and Lyle showering together.
While the series stumbles in its treatment of sensitive subjects, at times relying too heavily on melodrama and sensationalism, it does succeed in other areas.
Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch offer outstanding performances as the Menendez brothers, showcasing emotional intensity while effectively capturing the depth of their characters.
Episode five features a 36-minute uncut scene where lawyer Leslie Abramson, portrayed by Ari Graynor, speaks with Erik about his traumatic childhood and the abuse he endured at the hands of his parents. This episode is particularly disturbing, evoking feelings of disgust and distress as Erik recounts the sexual abuse inflicted by his father.
As the camera slowly zooms in on Erik’s face, he refers to himself as “the hurt man”. With tears rolling down his cheeks, Cooper Koch delivers a powerful performance, capturing a range of emotions that make the scene deeply heartbreaking from an audience’s perspective.
In episode six, the director presents a confronting scene that hints at the abuse José inflicted on his sons. When Erik refuses his father's demand to attend UCLA business school, José forcefully drags him into his room, closing the door as muffled yelling can be heard. This scene is particularly disturbing, as the previous episode had already provided the audience with context about the brothers' experiences with sexual abuse, making it clear what is happening behind closed doors without explicitly depicting it.
The second season has garnered attention to the Menendez brothers' case which was closed in the '90s, and audiences voiced their thoughts and opinions towards the actual trial. Despite being found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, supporters argue that the brothers acted in self-defence when they murdered their parents.
The series has a strong influence across social media platforms, with people mentioning 80s old money fashion and its memorable soundtrack including Milli Vanilli’s hit songs Girl I’m Gonna Miss You and Blame It On The Rain.
Both Erik and Lyle Menendez continue to serve their life sentences. The public’s attention to the real-life story eventually led LA prosecutors to reveal new evidence, including journalist Robert Rand’s 2023 documentary entitled Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed, where former boy band member Roy Rosselló spoke on his experience of being one of the victims of sexual abuse inflicted by José at the age of 14.
A recent documentary directed by Alejandro Hartmann aired this month, providing audiences with an in-depth look at the Menendez brothers' case after the release of the Netflix series. The brothers’ family held a press conference in Los Angeles recently, hoping for the release of the brothers.
The Menendez brothers’ case can potentially reopen, as Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón stated that the decision to free the brothers can be made in the “next 10 days or so.”
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