DECEMBER 2024:
Motivating Brothers…
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is the second installment in Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s true-crime anthology series, Monster, following the critically and commercially successful Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. Premiering on Netflix on September 19, 2024, the season dives into the chilling case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, whose 1989 murder of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, shocked the nation and sparked one of the most sensationalized trials of the 1990s.
The series employs the Rashomon effect, a storytelling device that presents the same event from multiple, often conflicting perspectives, with Lyle and Erik’s viewpoints as the focal points. Featuring Javier Bardem as the domineering José Menendez, Chloë Sevigny as the troubled Kitty Menendez, Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle, and Cooper Koch as Erik, the show delves into the complex familial dynamics and psychological underpinnings of the crime.
![The Rashomon effect is the phenomenon of the unreliability of eyewitnesses. The effect is named after Akira Kurosawa's 1950 Japanese film Rashomon, in which a murder is described in four contradictory ways by four witnesses.[1] It has been used as a storytelling and writing method in cinema in which an event is given contradictory interpretations or descriptions by the individuals involved, thereby providing different perspectives and points of view of the same incident.](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Rashomon-Effect--1024x868.jpeg?ssl=1)
Despite strong performances and notable moments—especially the standout fifth episode—the series faced criticism for its sprawling runtime, tonal inconsistencies, and controversial portrayal of the brothers’ relationship. It nonetheless resonated with audiences, quickly becoming Netflix’s most-watched series globally upon release. At the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, the show received three nominations, cementing its cultural impact despite polarizing reviews.
This critique explores the intricate layers of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story by analyzing its narrative structure, historical context, thematic depth, and critical reception.
The Rashomon Effect: Explanation and Application in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
The Rashomon effect derives its name from Akira Kurosawa’s seminal 1950 film Rashomon, in which a single event—a samurai’s death—is recounted through the conflicting testimonies of multiple characters. The device underscores the subjectivity of truth, the fallibility of memory, and the impact of personal bias on storytelling.
![Akira Kurosawa[note 1] (黒澤 明 or 黒沢 明, Kurosawa Akira, March 23, 1910 – September 6, 1998) was a Japanese filmmaker who directed 30 films in a career spanning over five decades. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential filmmakers in the history of cinema. Kurosawa displayed a bold, dynamic style, strongly influenced by Western cinema yet distinct from it; he was involved with all aspects of film production. Kurosawa entered the Japanese film industry in 1936, following a brief stint as a painter. After years of working on numerous films as an assistant director and scriptwriter, he made his debut as a director during World War II with the popular action film Sanshiro Sugata (1943). After the war, the critically acclaimed Drunken Angel (1948), in which Kurosawa cast the then little-known actor Toshiro Mifune in a starring role, cemented the director's reputation as one of the most important young filmmakers in Japan. The two men would go on to collaborate on another fifteen films. Rashomon (1950), which premiered in Tokyo, became the surprise winner of the Golden Lion at the 1951 Venice Film Festival. The commercial and critical success of that film opened up Western film markets for the first time to the products of the Japanese film industry, which in turn led to international recognition for other Japanese filmmakers. Kurosawa directed approximately one film per year throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, including a number of highly regarded (and often adapted) films, including Ikiru (1952), Seven Samurai (1954), Throne of Blood (1957), The Hidden Fortress (1958), Yojimbo (1961), High and Low (1963) and Red Beard (1965). After the 1960s he became much less prolific; even so, his later work—including two of his final films, Kagemusha (1980) and Ran (1985)—continued to receive great acclaim. In 1990, he accepted the Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement. Posthumously, he was named "Asian of the Century" in the "Arts, Literature, and Culture" category by AsianWeek magazine and CNN, cited there as being among the five people who most prominently contributed to the improvement of Asia in the 20th century. His career has been honored by many retrospectives, critical studies and biographies in both print and video, and by releases in many consumer media. Kurosawa told the critic Donald Richie: "I suppose all of my films have a common theme. If I think about it, though, the only theme I can think of is really a question: Why can't people be happier together?"](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Akira-Kurosawa--718x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
In Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, the Rashomon effect is employed to unpack the Menendez family’s complex and contentious history. Each episode presents a different perspective, from José and Kitty’s view of their sons as spoiled and erratic to the brothers’ depiction of their parents as abusive and controlling. This fragmented narrative allows the audience to experience the psychological turmoil of all parties while grappling with the reliability of each perspective.
The central episodes highlight Erik’s fragile emotional state, contrasting with Lyle’s calculated demeanor. This duality complicates the brothers’ characterization, inviting viewers to question their culpability and the influence of their upbringing on their actions. While ambitious, this approach has its drawbacks; critics argued that the shifting perspectives muddled the narrative’s focus and diluted its emotional impact.
Performances and Casting: The Heart of the Series
The performances in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story are among its greatest strengths. Javier Bardem’s portrayal of José Menendez is both chilling and multifaceted. Bardem imbues José with a veneer of affable charm that belies his controlling, emotionally abusive nature. Chloë Sevigny’s Kitty Menendez, meanwhile, is a portrait of vulnerability, addiction, and denial, a tragic figure complicit in but also victimized by the family’s dysfunction.
Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch bring depth to the roles of Lyle and Erik. Koch’s performance as Erik, in particular, earned widespread acclaim for its raw emotionality, capturing the younger brother’s descent into guilt, fear, and confusion. Chavez’s Lyle is more restrained yet equally compelling, portraying the older brother’s protective instincts alongside his manipulative tendencies. The chemistry between the two actors is a highlight, though their portrayal of the brothers’ relationship drew controversy for its implied incestuous undertones, a creative choice that Erik Menendez himself publicly denounced.
The Menendez Case Background: From Murder to Trial
On the night of August 20, 1989, a frantic 911 call from Erik and Lyle Menendez reported the gruesome murders of thier parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion. José, a wealthy entertainment executive, and Kitty, a homemaker, were found brutally killed in the living room. José was shot in the back of the head and chest, while Kitty suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the face and body, rendering her unrecognizable. The crime scene was chaotic, with blood splattered across the room, and early theories suggested a professional mob-style hit due to the precision of the shootings.
![Lyle and Erik's father. Born in Cuba, he is a wealthy and powerful businessman in the entertainment industry, serving as an executive at RCA Records and the CEO of Live Entertainment. He is described as an ambitious and controlling father who imposes high expectations on his sons. Lyle and Erik allege that they killed José in self-defense after years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.[3] This marks the first series regular role for Bardem, who has primarily worked in major films. He described José as "this commanding man [who] really thinks and feels that he's absolutely right all the time, and that has to be obeyed by others."[4] Speaking to TheWrap, he admitted that he was initially unfamiliar with the case, but after "digging in and informing [himself]", he was alarmed by the extent of the alleged sexual abuse.](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Jose-Menendez-.jpg?ssl=1)
![Lyle and Erik's mother who struggles with mental health issues, including depression, alcoholism, and substance abuse. After the murders, Lyle and Erik claim that Kitty had been complicit in the alleged abuse they suffered from their father. In describing Kitty, Sevigny expressed doubt about whether Kitty intentionally ignored the sexual abuse the brothers claim they endured from their father.[6] She connected with a director whose wife was friends with Kitty, stating, "I'm trying to get in touch with her to hear her personal accounts, which I generally don't like to do, but there's so much negative stuff about Kitty that I feel like it could be really beneficial to hear from someone that did know her."](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Kitty-Menendez--1024x584.jpg?ssl=1)
Initially, the investigation yielded few leads. José Menendez’s business dealings and high-profile connections made the possibility of a contract killing plausible. However, as the weeks went by, authorities began to focus on José and Kitty’s sons, Lyle and Erik Menendez. Their behavior after the murders raised suspicions. Both brothers embarked on extravagant spending sprees: Lyle purchased a new Porsche, expensive clothing, and businesses, while Erik indulged in luxury trips, tennis lessons, and other costly pursuits. Within months, they had spent over $700,000 of their inheritance.
The Investigation
Detectives began to scrutinize the brothers’ alibis and behavior. On the night of the murders, Lyle and Erik claimed they had gone to the movies and then returned home to discover their parents’ bodies. While this story initially held up, inconsistencies and their apparent lack of grief began to draw attention. Lyle, in particular, was noted for his seemingly detached demeanor, while Erik displayed erratic emotions, alternating between sobbing and nervous laughter.
The pivotal breakthrough came when Erik confessed the crime to his psychologist, Dr. Jerome Oziel. Erik, overwhelmed by guilt, admitted to the killings during a therapy session. Oziel recorded these confessions, which detailed the planning and execution of the murders. Complicating matters, Oziel shared the tapes with his mistress, Judalon Smyth, who later leaked them to authorities. This ethical breach sparked legal battles over the admissibility of the tapes but ultimately led to the arrests of both brothers in March 1990.
The First Trial: Abuse or Greed?
The Menendez brothers’ first trial began in 1993 and became a national spectacle, with live courtroom broadcasts captivating audiences. Defense attorney Leslie Abramson crafted a strategy that centered on allegations of severe abuse. The defense claimed that José Menendez was a tyrannical figure who subjected both sons to years of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, while Kitty enabled and ignored the abuse, struggling with her own psychological issues and addiction.
![Lyle and Erik's father. Born in Cuba, he is a wealthy and powerful businessman in the entertainment industry, serving as an executive at RCA Records and the CEO of Live Entertainment. He is described as an ambitious and controlling father who imposes high expectations on his sons. Lyle and Erik allege that they killed José in self-defense after years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.[3] This marks the first series regular role for Bardem, who has primarily worked in major films. He described José as "this commanding man [who] really thinks and feels that he's absolutely right all the time, and that has to be obeyed by others."[4] Speaking to TheWrap, he admitted that he was initially unfamiliar with the case, but after "digging in and informing [himself]", he was alarmed by the extent of the alleged sexual abuse.](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jose-menendez-1-1.jpg?ssl=1)
![Lyle and Erik's mother who struggles with mental health issues, including depression, alcoholism, and substance abuse. After the murders, Lyle and Erik claim that Kitty had been complicit in the alleged abuse they suffered from their father. In describing Kitty, Sevigny expressed doubt about whether Kitty intentionally ignored the sexual abuse the brothers claim they endured from their father.[6] She connected with a director whose wife was friends with Kitty, stating, "I'm trying to get in touch with her to hear her personal accounts, which I generally don't like to do, but there's so much negative stuff about Kitty that I feel like it could be really beneficial to hear from someone that did know her."](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Kitty-Menendez-1-1.jpg?ssl=1)
The brothers testified in graphic detail about the alleged abuse, portraying their father as a monstrous figure who maintained an iron grip over the family. They argued that the killings were not premeditated but a desperate act of self-defense, sparked by a confrontation in which they believed their parents were planning to kill them.
The prosecution, led by Pamela Bozanich, argued that the murders were calculated and financially motivated. They highlighted the brothers’ spending spree and pointed out that José had recently altered his will, possibly disinheriting them. The prosecution framed the abuse allegations as exaggerated and uncorroborated, designed to manipulate the jury.
The trial ended in a deadlock, with two separate juries (one for each brother) unable to reach a unanimous verdict. The hung jury reflected the public’s divided opinion: some sympathized with the brothers’ claims of abuse, while others viewed them as cold-blooded killers exploiting the justice system.
The Retrial: A Different Outcome
In 1995, the Menendez brothers faced a retrial. This time, the court restricted the defense’s ability to focus on the abuse allegations, leading to a more streamlined case that emphasized the killings themselves. Without the emotional weight of the abuse narrative, the prosecution gained an advantage, presenting the murders as premeditated acts rooted in greed and entitlement.
In 1996, the brothers were found guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Both received life sentences without the possibility of parole. The verdict marked the end of a saga that had gripped the nation and raised questions about the intersection of abuse, privilege, and justice.
Legacy of the Case
The Menendez case remains one of the most controversial in American legal history. For some, the brothers’ sentences reflect justice for their parents’ brutal murders. For others, the case underscores the failure of the legal system to adequately address claims of familial abuse. The trial also highlighted the role of media sensationalism, as tabloid coverage and televised proceedings shaped public perception and elevated the case to the status of a cultural phenomenon.
By the time Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story aired, the case had been revisited multiple times in documentaries, podcasts, and films. The series’ focus on the brothers’ perspective and its use of the Rashomon effect reflect the enduring complexity of the story, which continues to captivate and divide audiences decades later.
![Also known as Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders Genre True crime Anthology Created by René Balcer Starring Edie Falco Miles Gaston Villanueva Gus Halper Composer Mike Post Country of origin United States Original language English No. of seasons 1 No. of episodes 8 Production Executive producers René Balcer Dick Wolf Peter Jankowski Arthur W. Forney Running time 43 minutes Production companies Universal Television[1] Wolf Films Original release Network NBC Release September 26 – November 14, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Law-Order-True-Crime-The-Menendez-Murders-769x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
Themes and Tone: Strengths and Shortcomings
The series tackles themes of abuse, privilege, and the duality of victimhood and villainy. However, its execution is uneven. While certain episodes successfully evoke empathy for the Menendez brothers, others veer into sensationalism, undermining the nuanced exploration of their motivations. The tonal shifts—oscillating between psychological drama and true-crime thriller—contributed to critical complaints about the series’ lack of cohesion.
Critical Reception and Impact
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story received a mixed critical response, with praise for its performances and moments of emotional resonance but criticism for its length and controversial creative choices. Despite this, its commercial success and Golden Globe nominations solidified its position as a significant, if divisive, entry in the true-crime genre.
Reflections on the Series
The series is an ambitious yet flawed exploration of one of America’s most infamous criminal cases. By employing the Rashomon effect and focusing on character-driven storytelling, it offers a fresh perspective on the Menendez case, even as it grapples with the limitations of its medium and the ethical challenges of dramatizing real-life tragedy. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story ultimately raises more questions than it answers about the nature of justice, memory, and storytelling itself.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is available now to watch on Netflix…
