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The Netflix documentary The Menendez Brothers released on October 7, 2024. Prior to that, the nine-episode series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, released on September 19, 2024, chronicles the brutal slaying of José and Kitty Menendez, who were murdered by their sons Lyle and Erik in 1989.
The series delves into great detail about the terrible events that led to this crime. As with the first season, the second one has sparked important conversations about justice, the truth, and the complicated relationships in the Menendez family.
The documentaey film goes into more detail about the trial and sentencing of the brothers. It also includes the Menendez brothers themselves addressing the murders.
The official synopsis of the series reads,
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"This riveting true-crime drama probes the lives of the Menendez brothers, convicted of the brutal 1989 murders of their parents in Beverly Hills."
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story recap before watching The Menendez Brothers
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which came out on Netflix on September 19, 2024, is a tragic tale of two brothers who shot and killed their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion. The brothers say their father abused them s*xually and physically for years, and the show looks into their claims.
As the trial goes on, the prosecution contends that the brothers' motivation was greed—wanting their family's fortune. Most of the suspense in this story stems from the ultimate conviction they get. The series deftly breaks out the competing motivations, leaving viewers wondering about the brothers' actual intentions.
In episode 1, In Blame It on the Rain, Erik confesses disturbing details about the murders to his therapist, creating an ethical dilemma. Episode 2, Spree, follows Lyle and Erik’s extravagant spending while they await the reading of their father's will.
In episode 3, Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?, life in prison changes as a new lawyer encourages Erik to reveal their past. Episode 4, Kill or Be Killed, shows Lyle recalling his father’s abuse and its impact on Erik.
The Hurt Man (episode 5) delves into Erik’s traumatic childhood abuse. Don't Dream It's Over (episode 6) explores Jose and Kitty’s troubled marriage through family therapy sessions. In Showtime (episode 7), the brothers struggle with their defense amid a media frenzy.
Seismic Shifts (episode 8) sees courtroom dynamics shift with new testimonies, causing tension between the brothers. Finally, in Hang Men (episode 9), the second trial brings a life-changing verdict.
The Menendez brothers' wealth is an important part of Monsters 2's story. When their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, died in 1989, they left behind a $14 million estate that included homes in Beverly Hills and Calabasas. Based on today's prices, this would be worth about $36.8 million. Still, Lyle and Erik Menendez got about $2 million after all the taxes and debts were taken out.
But the brothers quickly came under suspicion after the murders when they started spending a lot of money. Erik put his money into tennis lessons and gambling, while Lyle bought a Porsche and a restaurant. They spent almost $700,000 in just six months. They almost went bankrupt as they spent too much, had to pay lawyers' fees, and made bad financial decisions.
Under California's Slayer Statute, the Menendez brothers finally lost all their remaining inheritance due to their conviction for first-degree murder. Legal fees consumed their remaining fortune, and most of their parents' estate was sold to pay off debt, leaving nothing.
Key moments: The trial and sentencing of the Menendez brothers
The Menendez brothers claim that they killed their parents because they were afraid after being abused for years. However, the prosecution, led by David Conn (Paul Adelstein), makes a strong case against them by saying that the murders were planned ahead of time.
There are tense scenes in the courtroom, including the important part where Erik testifies about being afraid of his father's threats. His emotional breakdown on the stand is a significant point in the series.
Witnesses, like family, friends, and even housekeepers, take the stand, which makes the story even more complicated. In a key scene, Erik's friend Craig tells everyone about Erik's confession and brings in a screenplay that eerily matches the crime the brothers committed in real life.
Read more: Fact Check: Were the Menendez Brothers paid for Netflix's Monsters?
At the end of the trial, the Menendez brothers are found guilty of first-degree murder. The jury also decided that the killings were planned ahead of time and done on purpose.
The Menendez Brothers were sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole. The jury had only two options for the sentence: life in prison or death. One of the jurors had a heart attack in the middle of the deliberation. Thereby, a replacement juror changed their mind and chose life sentences.
Read more: Old trading card goes viral after a Reddit user spots Menendez brothers in the background
The series leaves the audience contemplating whether the Menendez brothers deserved such a harsh sentence or if their claims of abuse should have been weighed more heavily.
After the trial, the Menendez brothers are separated and sent to different prisons. This final blow shatters their already broken spirits, as they realize they will spend the rest of their lives apart. The series leaves their fate open-ended, with an ambiguous final scene showing the brothers reflecting on their actions and the loss of their family.
The series ends on a vague note that makes it clear that only the brothers know what really happened at their house. The last scene takes the audience back to the trip the Menendez family took to fish for sharks before they were killed.
The Menendez Brothers brings up important issues about justice. Were Lyle and Erik acting out of fear, or were they acting without thinking? The final episode's lack of clarity makes viewers question what guilt and innocence really mean, adding another level of depth to the show.
Read more: Is there new evidence in the Menendez Brothers case?
Cast and characters
The cast of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story includes Chloë Sevigny as José Menendez's wife, Kitty, who has problems with drugs. Javier Bardem plays José Menendez, a powerful figure in the entertainment business. Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez play their sons Erik and Lyle Menendez, respectively.
Ari Graynor plays Leslie Abramson, Erik's lawyer, and Nathan Lane plays Dominick Dunne, a reporter who is looking into the case. Some other well-known characters are Dallas Roberts as Dr. Jerome Oziel, a psychologist who is involved in the case, and Leslie Grossman as Judalon Smyth, a key witness.
The series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story as well as the documentary The Menendez Brothers are currently streaming on Netflix.
