Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent, exploitative true crime drama has sex, cursing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story
What's the Story?
MONSTERS: THE LYLE AND ERIK MENÉNDEZ STORY is a fictional retelling of a horrific true crime story involving two wealthy siblings living in Beverly Hills. On August 20, 1989, 21-year-old Lyle (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) and 18-year-old Erik Menéndez (Cooper Koch) called the police to report that they had found their parents, José and Kitty, (played by Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny, respectively) shot to death in their living room. Investigators were suspicious of the brothers when they immediately went on a spending spree after receiving their inheritance, but it was Erik's confession to his therapist that ultimately led to their arrest for first-degree murder, and their eventual sentencing to life without the possibility of parole despite the brothers' claim that they were defending themselves against their parents' ongoing physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. Throughout the narrative, flashbacks help chronicle what allegedly went on behind the scenes in the Menéndez household leading up to the gruesome killings.
Is It Any Good?
The disturbing series, the second in a true crime anthology created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, tells how the Menéndez brothers planned, carried out, and justified the murder of their parents. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story is produced to raise questions about who the real "monsters" are in the story, and highlights what seem to be the worst characteristics of each family member to do so. The narrative also taps into some of the more sensational tales surrounding the case beyond parental abuse, including José Menéndez's sexual proclivities and suggestions of an incestuous relationship between Lyle and Erik. It doesn't glorify the brothers or diminish the terrible crime they committed. But outside of exploiting the story for entertainment and financial purposes, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story offers no concrete reason for revisiting it or any lessons to be learned as a result of doing so.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the fanfare surrounding Lyle and Erik Menéndez when they were arrested and went to trial. What role did media have in this? Why wasn't it the same during the second trial?
Is Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story exploitative? Or is it just telling a good story for television? Why?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 19, 2024
- Cast : Nicholas Alexander Chavez , Cooper Koch , Javier Bardem , Chloe Sevigny
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- TV rating :
- Awards : Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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