Fact Check: Were the Menendez Brothers paid for Netflix's Monsters? Explained 

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which replays the homicide involving the Menendez brothers debuted on Netflix with a nine-episode long run on September 19, 2024. This crime drama reenacts a fictitious account of the actual horrific story and contentious trial of the Menendez brothers, who killed their parents in 1989.

For those who have been captivated by this crime thriller and are curious if Netflix has paid the real Menendez brothers for the second season of Monsters, the answer to that is a no. The Menendez Brothers and Netflix have not disclosed any records of such a transaction.

As per Variety, Monsters season 2 is a chartbuster on Netflix, garnering 2.7 billion watch minutes, in the first week after its release.

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The Menendez brothers spent most of their inheritance after the murder of their parents

The Menendez brothers were sentenced to life in prison on July 2, 1996, without chances of parole, after they were found guilty of killing their parents Jose Menendez and Mary Louise Menendez on August 20, 1989. The couple was shot at their Beverly Hills residence.

The brothers when arrested, claimed that they killed their parents as an act of self-defense. Allegedly, their father, who was a wealthy businessman, would often se*ually and physically abuse his sons Erik and Lyle. They claimed that their mother was also aware of the same, however, she did not intervene at any point.

However, the prosecution did not find Erik and Lyle’s testimony against their parents convincing enough. They rather held the belief that the brothers killed their parents, for financial gain.

As per a report by Lawyer Monthly, after the murders of Jose and Mary Louise, both Erik and Lyle spent their share of the inheritance on expensive cars, extravagant watches, and more. The brothers spent a total of $700,000 before they were arrested in 1990.

The report further stated that Erik and Lyle had a $14-15 million dollar inheritance. However, the brothers got $2 million each after they spent over $10 million on court fees, legal expenses taxes, and more. They also had to sell their Beverly Hills home in 1991, to clear off most debts.

After their arrests and multiple trials, the brothers lost most of their million-dollar inheritance. Both Erik and Lyle are currently incarcerated at the San Diego Richard J. Donavan Correctional Facility, serving their life sentences.

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Erik Menendez and Lyle Menendez talked about Monsters Season 2

After Monsters season 2 debuted on Netflix and quickly gained popularity, the real-life subjects of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story remarked on the show and denounced it, branding it as a "dishonest portrayal." Through his wife Tammi Menendez's social media, Erik, who is incarcerated, shared his opinions about the show and said:

“....It is with a heavy heart that I say, I believe Ryan Murphy cannot be this naive and inaccurate about the facts of our lives so as to do this without bad intent.....It is sad for me to know that Netflix’s dishonest portrayal of the tragedies surrounding our crime have taken the painful truths several steps backward...."

Eric continued:

"...Those awful lies have been disrupted and exposed by countless brave victims over the last two decades who have broken through their personal shame and bravely spoken out. So now Murphy shapes his horrible narrative through vile and appalling character portrayals of Lyle and of me and disheartening slander...Is the truth not enough?"

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Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is now streaming on Netflix.