As a seasoned true-crime enthusiast who has watched countless series and documentaries about infamous cases, I must say that “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” is an enthralling addition to the genre. Having followed the saga of these brothers since their trial in the 90s, it’s fascinating to see how this story has been brought to life through Ryan Murphy’s unique lens.
Ryan Murphy has ignited discussions yet again with “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” marking the second chapter in his anthology series of biographical crime dramas entitled “Monster” which began with “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story“. This series recreates the sequence of events that culminated in the heinous murders of José (portrayed by Javier Bardem) and Kitty Menendez (Chloë Sevigny) at the hands of their sons, Lyle (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) and Erik (Cooper Koch). The narrative delves into the events leading up to the crime, the subsequent discovery of their guilt, arrests, and the sensational trial that left the nation in shock.
In this series, a mix of familiar and less recognized actors portray key figures involved in the case. This ranges from the members of the Menendez family to their friends, relatives, law enforcement personnel, legal professionals, and more. As viewers make their way through all nine episodes, or even while still watching, they often find themselves wondering about the real-life individuals behind these characters.
The Main Cast Is a Mix of Familiar and Unfamiliar Faces
The principal actors in this series are a mix of established Hollywood stars and fresh talents, among them being the duo portraying the central brother characters involved in the case.
Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle Menendez
In the series, Nicholas Alexander Chavez portrays Lyle Menendez, the elder Menendez sibling who was admired by his younger brother Erik. Although Lyle didn’t initially speak out about sexual abuse he suffered, he eventually claimed that his father had also abused him. On television, Lyle is depicted as the more assertive of the two brothers, taking charge, and both brothers were involved in a horrific event where they entered a room and repeatedly shot their parents, later concealing the crime.
Chavez is still fairly new, but he’s already made a significant impact – particularly as Spencer Cassadine on the daytime soap opera “General Hospital,” a role he played from 2021 to 2024. This performance even won him a Daytime Emmy Award. Additionally, you might have seen him in the 2022 Tubi original film “Crushed.” His acting in these roles is quite compelling.
Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez
At the time when the murders occurred, Erik, the younger Menendez brother, was only 18 years old. It was his confession to Dr. Jerome Oziel, a therapist, that ultimately resulted in the brothers’ arrest for these crimes. Similar to his elder sibling, Erik remembered instances of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse by their father which allegedly started when he was young. To this very day, he continues to assert that the brothers resorted to such actions out of fear of enduring more abuse and possibly being killed by their father themselves.
Cooper Koch, who excels in his acting debut, began his career in 2020. His standout performances are as Stu in “They/Them” and Benjamin in “Swallowed”, both horror films that premiered in 2022. Koch manages to convey the emotional depth of Erik so convincingly that it stirs sympathy among viewers for this young, vulnerable, and wounded character.
Javier Bardem as José Menendez
Jose Menendez, originally from Cuba, achieved great success in the music industry as a corporate executive. He relocated his family to Beverly Hills, enjoying an extravagant lifestyle. However, according to his sons, he was a harsh and demanding figure behind closed doors. A man with rigorous expectations for his offspring, they claim he reacted cruelly when those standards were not met. They allege that he subjected them to intense emotional and physical torment, as well as making disturbing claims of repeated sexual abuse.
Javier Bardem, portraying the character Jose, is a renowned Spanish actor boasting an impressive portfolio. He’s been recognized with numerous Academy Award nominations, securing one for his performance in “No Country for Old Men” (2007). Among other significant films, he has appeared in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”, “Skyfall”, “Dune”, and the upcoming “Dune: Part Two”. More recently, Bardem graced our screens as Jose in the live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid”. His intense and subtly commanding portrayal highlights why he was an ideal choice for the role.
Chloë Sevigny as Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez
On that tragic evening, Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, along with her husband, met with a fatal end. It’s said that she grappled with mental health challenges such as depression. Moreover, the brothers contend that she was a heavy drinker and was misusing prescription drugs. They further assert that she was aware of José’s actions towards his sons but chose not to intervene.
Chloë Sevigny is a well-known and Academy Award-nominated actress who gained prominence in the movies ‘Kids’ and ‘Boys Don’t Cry’, with the latter earning her an Oscar nomination. She also starred in the series ‘Big Love’. Among her other notable roles are ‘Zodiac’, ‘Portlandia’, ‘American Horror Story’, ‘Bloodline’, ‘Russian Doll’, ‘The Act’, ‘Poker Face’, and ‘Feud: Capote vs. The Swans’. She has recently appeared in several high-profile productions, including these mentioned.
Nathan Lane as Dominick Dunne
Dominick Dunne was a journalist who covered high-profile criminal cases for Vanity Fair. Naturally, he was a key figure in the media coverage of the Menendez case and trial and is credited with shaping the public opinion surrounding it, including how people felt about the story the boys were recalling.
The role is taken by Nathan Lane, a versatile actor known for an extensive portfolio in films, television series, and theater, particularly on Broadway. Notably, he’s been nominated for six Tony Awards and has won three. He also starred in another Ryan Murphy production, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story,” portraying F. Lee Bailey. More recently, his performance as Teddy Dimas in “Only Murders in the Building” has been well-received by fans.
Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson
At the core of the case, standing firmly by Erik’s side, was Leslie Abramson, his defense attorney. She, a renowned criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles, had established a reputation for her aggressive courtroom demeanor and skillful legal strategies. In this particular case, her strategy involved presenting graphic evidence and delving into the abuse claims in explicit detail, aiming to persuade the jury that the boys were indeed truthful about their experiences. She hoped to convey that they were profoundly traumatized by their upbringing and lived in constant fear. However, after an initial mistrial, the jury in the second trial was not allowed to consider the abuse allegations, a decision that many believe contributed to his eventual conviction.
Performing this crucial part is Ari Graynor, who has made a name for herself with roles on shows like ‘I’m Dying Up Here’, ‘The Sopranos’, and ‘Fringe’. More recently, she might be familiar to viewers as Honey Kaplan in ‘Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.’
Other Supporting Cast Members
Along with the main cast, there are several supporting cast members who appear in the series.
- Dallas Roberts (The Walking Dead, The Good Wife) stars as Dr. Jerome Oziel, the psychologist Erik confesses the murders to.
- Leslie Grossman (American Horror Story) is Judalon Smyth, Dr. Oziel’s former patient and mistress, who reveals the privileged information Dr. Oziel shared with her about the boys. Her statement ultimately leads the police to the recorded sessions with Erik and Lyle that get them arrested.
- Jason Butler Harner (Ozark, Sugar, The Handmaid’s Tale) is Detective Les Zoeller, the prime investigator in the case and the first person to arrive at the scene of the crime. He is also the one who arrested both Lyle and Erik. He attended every single day of trial throughout the lengthy case to see it through.
- Craig Cignarelli is a friend of Erik’s who purportedly lied about Erik confessing the murders to him, He also told police about a script for a screenplay he and Erik had earlier written together about a young man who murdered his parents. The character is played by Charlie Hall, son of actor Julia Louis-Dreyfus and known for Love, Victor, The Sex Lives of College Girls, and Bel-Air.
- Jeff Perry plays Peter Hoffman, Jose’s former business partner. The long-time actor has appeared in shows like Nash Bridges, My So-Called Life, Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and Alaska Daily.
- Drew Powell (Malcolm in the Middle, Gotham) portrays Detective Tom Linehan.
- Playing Carlos Baralt is Enrique Murciano (Without a Trace, The Night Agent), Jose’s brother-in-law and uncle to the boys who was the executor of Jose’s will.
- Michael Gladis (Mad Men) is Tim Rutten, a journalist from the Los Angeles Daily News who also happens to be married to Abramson.
What to Know About Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and the Case Today
“Monsters: The Tale of Lyle and Erik Menendez” is the second chapter in Ryan Murphy’s true crime drama anthology, titled “Monster.” Previously, the series was named “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” which garnered a mix of reviews but emerged as one of Netflix’s most-viewed shows. It secured six Emmy nominations and Niecy Nash claimed victory in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
On September 19, 2024, all nine episodes of “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” were made available for streaming. It’s been confirmed that the third season will focus on serial killer Ed Gein, with Charlie Hunnam, known from “Sons of Anarchy“, set to portray him.
As a movie buff recounting history, I’d say: “I’m talking about Lyle and Erik Menendez, who are still serving their time behind bars for the cold-blooded murder of their parents. They received life sentences without the chance of parole following two trials – the first one ended inconclusively, while the second led to a guilty verdict. Yet, in the second trial, evidence of abuse that formed the crux of our story was not allowed by the court. This case has been quite intriguing, with many twists and turns.
In May 2023, documents were filed for a new hearing regarding allegations made by former Menudo member Roy Rosselló against Jose Menendez, who was working with the band at his label at the time. According to Esquire, this hearing is still pending, and additional evidence has been presented that could lead to an appeal. A letter purportedly written by Erik Menendez, allegedly discussing abuse, was reportedly discovered by a family member and handed over to lawyers. The letter is said to have been written months before the murder, and if verified, it could support Erik’s claims of truthfulness. While Erik and Lyle would still face charges, they may potentially be reduced from murder to manslaughter based on this new evidence.
Currently, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” offers a compelling portrayal of true events, drawing on known facts (and assumptions) about the family and the murders. With Emmy-worthy performances by Chavez and Koch, it’s a captivating production that true crime enthusiasts and those familiar with Murphy’s work should not miss. For those who remember this chilling case from years past, it provides a fresh perspective on the story, tackling controversial aspects and reigniting public interest in the unfortunate incident.
Stream Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story on Netflix.
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2024-09-22 01:02