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- What Happens in the Monsters Episode ‘The Hurt Man?’
- The Episode Is the Most Powerful of Monsters
- Cooper Koch Comes From an Entertainment Family
As a fledgling actor myself, I can’t help but be captivated by the meteoric rise of Cooper Koch. His family tree is a veritable Hollywood forest, with relatives who have worked as film editors, musicians, visual effects artists, and even producers on iconic films like “Airplane!” and “Rosemary’s Baby.
People who have watched Ryan Murphy’s latest installment of his anthology series, titled “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” seem to be divided in opinion. Despite the series’ popularity on Netflix, not everyone is fond of some of Murphy’s creative choices. Regardless of personal opinions, one point remains hard to dispute: Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch, who portray Lyle and Erik respectively, have given captivating performances as the brothers at the heart of the trial. Both actors excel in delivering complex performances for characters who committed a heinous act by killing their parents and recounting harrowing tales of alleged abuse they endured from their father, Jose (played by Javier Bardem).
A specific episode catches my attention due to its minimalistic shooting style and intensely moving portrayal. This episode, known as “The Hurt Man,” has sparked discussions among fans, suggesting that the actor, Koch, deserves an Emmy Award for his outstanding acting performance.
What Happens in the Monsters Episode ‘The Hurt Man?’
In the series, the fifth installment titled “The Hurt Man” falls right in the midpoint. By then, both Lyle and Erik had been apprehended, and they were now awaiting their trials. Defense attorney Leslie Abramson (played by Ari Graynor) was brought on board by the family to defend Erik, primarily due to her assertive approach and a track record of success in similar cases.
When she becomes aware that the two young men claim they were mistreated by their father, she trusts their accounts. However, she is also cognizant of the fact that describing the events vividly may be crucial if they aim to stir compassion from the jury. It’s essentially their only path towards having the charges lessened from murder to manslaughter. The situation is critical because it could potentially determine whether they live or die.
Prior to testifying, Erik must first narrate the events to Abramson. During a prison visit, Abramson assists him in preparing his testimony, which requires him to remember every grisly detail. The entire 36-minute episode is filmed in one continuous shot, with a close-up on Erik’s face as he recounts the events. Abramson occasionally appears, but the focus remains on Erik and his tale. Despite her presence, Abramson’s discomfort and sorrow are palpable through her subtle nods and affirmative responses, as well as her body language while listening to Erik’s disturbing recollections. The spotlight is firmly on Erik throughout this process.
As Koch continues to speak, his words resonate deeply. He vividly describes the emotional toll of the abuse, including how it affected him, what his father said, and how he managed to persevere. In a striking manner, Koch portrays Erik as both uncomfortable and ashamed yet oddly comfortable around Abramson.
From how it began with massages to outright rape, Koch discusses the act of grooming that so many have experienced themselves; the episode could potentially be triggering to some. It’s also reflective of a time when women were considered the more “socially acceptable and believable” victims, not men. The vulnerability, emotion, and regret Erik shows are felt by viewers while watching, not just seen. He displays the range of confusing emotions victims often feel, expressing his deep love for his father at the same time as he talks about the awful things he claims his father did to him. His father was a good man, he believes. He wasn’t always so hurtful.
In this episode, despite Erik expressing opinions about Chloë Sevigny’s character Kitty (his mother) and her involvement in the events, it’s clear how deeply he cherished and was attached to her. He felt compassion towards her, viewing her as a victim of his father’s wrongdoings just as much as Erik and Lyle were. Regarding the performance by actor Edie Falco portraying Lyle Menendez, whether viewers find it convincing or not is immaterial. The captivating acting effectively depicts a young man who has been a victim of sexual abuse, reluctantly revisiting experiences he wishes he never had to share with anyone due to the necessity of doing so to save his life.
The Episode Is the Most Powerful of Monsters
In this nine-episode series, the storyline delves into an awkward and regrettable scenario involving questionable conduct from each character, yet it’s one episode that left viewers riveted, unable to utter a word or make a move during its airing. Despite Koch being the only face visible, the feelings of Graynor are also palpable. It becomes evident that she is evolving from a lawyer determined to halt a death sentence into a woman who will go to great lengths to safeguard this young man. With each conversation and detail, her maternal emotions intensify, as manifested through every gesture and assurance.
In this uninterrupted, fly-on-the-wall portrayal, there’s no scene transition or editing; instead, it feels like spectators are in the same room with both characters. The camera focuses intently on Koch’s face, placing immense pressure on the actor to deliver a compelling performance. And he does not disappoint. With each recollection of past atrocities, our hearts shatter a little more. It’s hard to fathom how a grown man could commit such horrific acts, especially towards his own children. As Abramson, Graynor’s reactions to Koch’s tales of abuse from as young as six years old are discreet but powerful. They resonate deeply within viewers, making them wince not only on the outside but also from deep within their core, struggling to grasp the gravity of what they’re hearing.
In this episode, a significant portion spans over half an hour, leaving viewers deeply immersed in the psychological state of a young man shattered by abuse. The nuances in the actors’ voices add to the poignancy, particularly when Koch seeks validation for his responses or thoughts about the mistreatment. Graynor addresses him as if speaking to that same wounded six-year-old, offering comfort and assurance that he is safe now. This sensitive portrayal, with Koch sitting with clasped hands, occasionally smiling through obvious pain, mirrors the reality of the situation exceptionally well.
This episode was incredibly impactful, skillfully filmed, and packed an emotional punch. It’s the sort of television that compels you to pause, ponder, and catch your breath before moving on to the next one. I must commend Koch and Graynor for crafting what could very well be the most heart-rending scene in a TV series this decade.
Cooper Koch Comes From an Entertainment Family
Even though Koch is relatively new to acting, it’s important to note that his family has a rich background in the entertainment industry. His twin brother Payton is a film editor, while his other brother Walter is a musician. Their father, Billy Koch, specializes in visual effects for films. Interestingly enough, their great-grandfather, Howard W. Koch, was a renowned film producer and director who helmed movies like “Frankenstein 1970” and “The Last Mile,” as well as episodes of shows such as “Maverick,” “The Untouchables,” and “Miami Undercover.” He also played a significant role in producing films like “Airplane!,” “Airplane II: The Sequel,” and “Ghost.
Hawk Koch, the grandson of Koch, holds a distinguished career as a film producer and has served as both the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Producers Guild of America. Prior to his work in cinema, he managed tours for musical groups such as The Supremes and The Dave Clark Five. With over 60 films under his belt, some of his most celebrated productions are “Chinatown”, “Primal Fear”, “Wayne’s World”, and “Rosemary’s Baby”. Currently, he sits on the board of directors for AMC Entertainment, Motion Picture and Television Fund, Producers Guild of America, and the National Film Preservation Foundation.
At age 28, Cooper Koch is still fairly new to the world of acting, with a total of 17 credits to his name. These roles are mostly minor appearances in short films and television movies. His initial acting role was at the tender age of 11 in the psychological crime thriller “Fracture” in 2007. He performed alongside acting greats like Anthony Hopkins, Ryan Gosling, and Rosamund Pike, portraying a character simply referred to as “kid”, with Payton also playing a role alongside him. In 2020, he graced the screen in the TV movie “A New York Christmas Wedding”.
Most recently, Koch starred in the slasher movie They/Them in 2022, as well as the independent body horror film Swallowed that same year. He has had two TV series roles before this one as well. In 2018, he starred in an uncredited guest role in West 40s and in Power Book II: Ghost in 2020. This role as Erik Menendez in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, however, is Koch’s highest-profile gig to date. And it’s likely to lead to more roles in the future. While Koch delivered a gripping performance in all nine episodes of the series, Episode 5, “The Hurt Man,” really allowed him to show that he’s no second-rate actor. He’s got serious talent. Stream Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story on Netflix.
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2024-09-29 23:01