Fact Check: Did Cooper Koch use a prosthetic for viral prison shower scene in Monsters? Explained

Cooper Koch plays the role of Erik Menendez in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which premiered on Netflix on September 19, 2024. The show delves into the brothers' controversial defense of abuse against their parents.

The crime drama is exclusive to Netflix and topped the global charts. Created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, the series explores the 1989 murders committed by Lyle and Erik Menendez.

Recently, the show sparked conversations online due to a viral prison shower scene featuring Koch. Fans wondered if Koch used a prosthetic during the scene. Koch clarified on Watch What Happens Live that he didn't use a prosthetic. In a conversation with host Andy Cohen, Koch addressed the speculation:

"Mine was not a prosthetic”.

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What episode was the shower scene in Monsters?

The infamous shower scene in Monsters occurs in episode five. This particular episode highlights the psychological and emotional toll on Erik Menendez. The shower scene, although brief, becomes a viral moment due to its raw intensity and nudity.

The story centers on Erik's vulnerability, but the shower sequence is a turning point for the brothers. Erik's breakdown is crucial to the show, revealing his emotional burden.

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Emotional build-up in episode five

Episode five is significant for the series, as it introduces the audience to Erik's internal struggles.

The shower scene emphasizes his fragile mental state, which becomes even more pronounced as the episode unfolds. While the scene itself doesn't last long, it triggers a larger discussion about the way Erik is portrayed throughout the series.

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Filming the scene: Cooper Koch's perspective

Cooper Koch described how the shower scene wasn't easy to film. He acknowledged feeling uncomfortable, particularly due to the cold conditions.

Despite the viral attention the scene has drawn, Cooper Koch emphasized that other moments, especially those involving intense dialogue, posed greater emotional challenges during filming.

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Plot of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

The movie Monsters is mostly about the Menendez brothers, Erik and Lyle, and how they killed their parents, José and Kitty Menendez. The show tells about their troubled childhood, which is full of claims of abuse.

The story looks at the controversial case from different points of view, showing how the brothers' defense was that their violent actions were caused by years of trauma and fear. The show talks about the famous trial that happened in the 1990s and looks at the complicated family relationships that led to the terrible events.

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Cast and characters

The show boasts an impressive ensemble cast. Cooper Koch stars as Erik Menendez, while Nicholas Alexander Chavez portrays Lyle Menendez. Veteran actors Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny play the brothers' parents, José and Kitty Menendez, respectively.

The cast also includes Nathan Lane as journalist Dominick Dunne and Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson, Erik’s defense attorney. The performances have been widely praised, particularly Koch’s portrayal of Erik, which have drawn attention from both critics and audiences alike.

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Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story's viral prison shower scene featured Cooper Koch without a prosthetic as confirmed by Koch in an interview. The scene in episode five is crucial to Erik's mental state.