Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan return to the true-crime genre with Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, a nine-episode miniseries that premiered on Netflix in September 2024. This entry in their anthology series dissects the infamous 1989 killings of José and Mary Louise Menendez, focusing heavily on the twisted dynamic between the two sons who pulled the trigger. Javier Bardem leads the cast as the volatile father, while Chloë Sevigny plays his wife, Kitty. Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez portray the brothers Erik and Lyle, bringing a chilling intimacy to their roles. The show blends high-gloss drama with gritty crime procedural elements to explore how wealth, abuse, and family secrets collide. Critics have noted the series manages to keep viewers engaged despite the grim subject matter, earning a solid 7.6 rating from audiences. It stands as a dark character study rather than a simple retelling of court proceedings, diving deep into the psychological toll of living under an abusive roof.[edit]