Ryan Murphy Responds to Family Backlash Over Menendez Drama

Ryan Murphy, the visionary creator behind Netflix's newest series "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story," has fired back at criticism from the family of the infamous brothers, claiming their negative reaction is, at best, "predictable."

The Menendez family has expressed outrage over the portrayal of their relatives, asserting that Lyle and Erik have been “victimized by this grotesque shockadrama” and that the series is “riddled with mistruths.” In a statement, they argued that the character assassination of the brothers is repulsive and noted their enduring love and support for them, while touching on the traumatic experiences and violence they witnessed within the Menendez household.

Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were just teenagers at the time, shot their wealthy parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. The highly publicized trial sparked a media frenzy, with prosecutors contending that the brothers committed the violent act to secure their family's substantial fortune. However, the defense claimed it was a desperate act of revenge for the alleged sexual abuse they suffered, although this was never proven in court.

The first trial in 1993 ended with deadlocked juries. After a retrial in 1995, where key evidence of abuse was barred from being presented, the brothers were ultimately found guilty of first-degree murder in 1996 and sentenced to life without parole. The brothers were reunited in prison in 2018, where they’ve since maintained a close bond.

Murphy responded to the family’s criticisms in an interview with Variety, stating, "I would like specifics about what they think is shocking or not shocking. It’s not like we’re making any of this stuff up; it's all been presented before.” Furthermore, he asserted that the show is unique in how it presents the story of the Menendez brothers, bringing it into a singular narrative framework.

The show features rising stars Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez portraying the brothers, with acclaimed actors Javier Bardem and Chloe Sevigny stepping in as their parents. Murphy, famous for his diverse body of work on hits like "Glee," "American Horror Story," and "Pose," is confident about the series’ impact, having garnered 12.3 million views during its opening weekend alone.

Murphy claims the series may only be the beginning for renewed discussion surrounding the brothers, suggesting that their case could spark debates about justice and rehabilitation. He commented, “It’s giving these brothers another trial in the court of public opinion," proposing that if today's standards applied, their charges might have been reduced to manslaughter.

In an intriguing twist, actor Cooper Koch shared that he spoke with Erik Menendez for the first time just before the series premiered and later met both brothers alongside celebrity activist Kim Kardashian to advocate for prison reform. Kardashian, known for her relentless efforts in promoting rehabilitation, has been an outspoken supporter of justice reform initiatives.

While Murphy admires Kardashian’s activism, he revealed that he has no desire to personally connect with the Menendez brothers. Instead, he hopes that the series encourages important conversations about crime, punishment, and the potential for restorative justice in the turbulent journey of the Menendez brothers, who have remained a subject of fascination and controversy for over three decades.

As the conversation continues, a documentary about the brothers is set to premiere on Netflix in just two weeks, keeping the spotlight firmly on the Menendez family's tragic past and the ongoing debate surrounding their legacy.