‘Monsters: The Erik and Lyle Menendez Story’ Nominated for Best Limited Series, 3 Acting Emmys

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It was announced on Tuesday morning that the Netflix miniseries titled “Monsters: The Erik and Lyle Menendez Story” has received a total of four nominations for the 2025 Emmy Awards, given by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Ryan Murphy’s nine-episode series, titled “The Menendez Murders,” which delves into the story of the wealthy brothers who murdered their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989 and were sentenced to life without parole, has been nominated for the prestigious award of outstanding limited or anthology series. Cooper Koch, who played the younger brother Lyle Menendez and received a Golden Globe nomination for his impressive debut performance, has been nominated as the outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie. Javier Bardem was recognized for his supporting role, and Chloe Sevigny was nominated for her exceptional work as a supporting actress.

The nominations occurred following the Menendez brothers overcoming a significant legal obstacle, paving the way for their potential release; this, in turn, underscores the impact the show had on both public opinion and California legislators in supporting the re-evaluation of their legal situation.

In response to a recent plea for a retrial of their sentence in May, a judge modified Erik and Lyle Menendez’s prison terms to 50 years to life, thereby granting them eligibility for parole right away. Their next hearing with the California Parole Board is scheduled for August.

Nine months following the initial release of the movie “Monsters,” an independent documentary about the brothers was also launched on Netflix. These events sparked renewed interest in their case and increased public demand. In October, as the brothers’ story once again gained prominence, Los Angeles’s outgoing district attorney penned a letter to a judge, urging him to reexamine the sentencing for the murders that occurred in 1989.

Prior to these events unfolding, the siblings had submitted a petition for habeas corpus in light of fresh evidence that surfaced in 2023, which supported their allegations of abuse by their father. This evidence included a previously hidden letter written by Erik as a teenager to his deceased cousin, which was penned before the murders and detailed Jose Menendez’s continued abusive behavior. Additionally, a former member of the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo emerged as a victim of Jose Menendez, who at that time was a powerful executive at RCA Records. The new district attorney resisted these claims, but the habeas corpus petition is currently being processed in the courts. On July 7, a ruling by Judge William Ryan of the L.A. County Superior Court demanded that District Attorney Nathan Hochman provide an explanation to the court as to why his office dismissed this new evidence. He has 30 days to explain why he deems it insufficient for a retrial for the brothers.

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The brothers had alternatives, and their lawyer subsequently submitted a request for a new sentencing, citing the actions of the previous District Attorney as basis. The argument focused on the brothers’ significant rehabilitation during their over three decades in prison, where they were exemplary inmates and guides to fellow prisoners. In May, defying Hochman’s preference, a judge in the local court decided to shorten Erik and Lyle’s sentences to a range of 50 years to life.

Ryan Murphy, one of the creators of “Monsters” and a prominent producer, discussed the burgeoning campaign for the release of the Menendez brothers and the show’s purpose during a conversation in November.

Murphy shared during a Netflix discussion in Los Angeles that he wasn’t exactly shocked when he saw the episodes after filming. Instead, he found them incredibly impactful from multiple angles. The aim of the show had always been to depict various complex perspectives, but Murphy felt it handled the topic of sexual abuse with remarkable power and depth by raising important questions about it.

The show, known for its sudden changes in mood, presents a vibrant array of viewpoints concerning the 1989 crime, its consequences, and subsequent trials. Not everyone was pleased with this representation, as the family of the Menendez brothers criticized Murphy’s depiction of their relationship, specifically hinting at implied incestuous undertones. This sparked a heated debate in the media, with statements from the family and the brothers from prison. Over time, the dispute has simmered down as attention shifted towards their potential release after spending three decades behind bars.

During the Netflix discussion, Murphy explained why he chose to revive the Menendez story through the series Monsters, and how he intended to reposition their tale around the traumatic experiences they had gone through.

Regardless of personal feelings, there’s a modern trend among the youth who are keen on discussing certain topics that weren’t as accessible in 1989,” he explained. “Whether you agree with them or not is almost irrelevant. The crucial aspect is that this movement sparked a discussion about the subject matter. Interestingly, many people became engaged and vocalized their opinions after watching the show, which was quite intriguing.

On September 14th this year, Nate Bargatze will be hosting the 77th Emmy Awards ceremony. The event will air live at 8 PM Eastern Time (5 PM Pacific Time) on CBS TV network, and it can also be streamed live and on-demand on Paramount+.

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2025-07-15 19:25