A chilling retelling: The Lyle and Erik Menendez story
A deep dive into the Menendez brothers’ saga
The latest installment in the “Monster” anthology series, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, offers a haunting portrayal of one of the most infamous crimes in American history. This Netflix series delves into the lives of brothers Lyle (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) and Erik (Cooper Koch), who, after enduring years of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of their parents, José (Javier Bardem) and Mary Louise “Kitty” (Chloë Sevigny), ultimately murder them. The series attempts to unpack the complex circumstances leading to the crime while highlighting the brothers’ trauma, but it often feels overwhelming and bizarre.
The opening scene: A glimpse into the brothers’ psyche
The series begins in October 1989, two months after the deaths of Kitty and José. As Kenny G’s “Songbird” plays on the radio, Lyle and Erik ride in a limo to their parents’ memorial service. Lyle appears composed and controlled, while Erik breaks down in uncontrollable sobs. This scene sets the tone for the series, illustrating the stark contrast between the brothers: one is emotional and vulnerable, while the other is tightly wound and filled with rage.
A narrative oscillating through time
The story oscillates back and forth, revealing the reign of terror within the Menendez household that pushed the brothers to commit parricide. Bardem’s portrayal of José is terrifying and vile, while Sevigny embodies a compassionless, pathetic woman. Erik and Lyle are depicted as a grotesque blend of entitlement and victimhood.
The series does not shy away from graphic and gory details of the killings, recounting various police mishaps that initially allowed the brothers to avoid suspicion. Erik’s confession to his therapist, Dr. Jerome Oziel (Dallas Roberts), eventually leads to their arrest. Leslie Grossman shines as Judalon Smyth, Dr. Oziel’s mistress and former patient, who plays a pivotal role in the brothers’ arrest and 1993 trial. The series also introduces defense attorney Leslie Abramson (Ari Graynor), whose tenacity and talent are overshadowed by the misogyny in the legal field and her fondness for Erik.
Standout episodes and faltering narrative
The first half of the series is compelling, with Episode 5, “The Hurt Man,” standing out. Although no sexual abuse is explicitly depicted, Erik’s detailed account of his father’s abuse to his lawyer Leslie is harrowing. The episode is cleverly shot in one long take, with the camera slowly zooming in on Erik’s face, capturing his anguish.
However, the series falters after Episode 5. The tone becomes unwieldy, oscillating between ominous and light camp, and the remaining episodes feel repetitive and exhausting. Episode 6, “Don’t Dream It’s Over,” delves into José and Kitty’s relationship, from their courtship to their increasingly tense marriage. While this episode showcases Bardem and Sevigny’s talents, it adds little to the overall tension or texture of the series and could have been integrated into the first half.
The Menendez trials and societal context
The series also explores the broader societal context of Los Angeles in the late ’80s and early ’90s, touching on events like Rodney King’s beating, the resulting riots, California’s death penalty, and O.J. Simpson’s arrest and acquittal. However, these plot points are often clumsily integrated, with Murphy and Brennan opting to hammer the audience with these facts rather than subtly infusing them into the narrative. At one point, Erik even speaks to Simpson from his adjoining jail cell, suggesting that the accused former football player take a plea bargain.
Despite the gripping subject matter and outstanding performances, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” struggles to find its identity. It ultimately becomes a retelling of unspeakable abuses and gruesome crimes, raising questions about our society’s fascination with such stories. When we platform murderous and unwell individuals, no matter how heinous their upbringings, we risk indulging in our own unchecked monstrosities.
“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” is now available to stream on Netflix. For more information and to watch the trailer, visit Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.