Netflix’s new series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” has faced criticism from Erik Menendez, one of the brothers serving life sentences for the murder of their parents in 1989. In a statement shared by his wife, Erik expressed disappointment in the show’s portrayal of the events, claiming that it includes lies and ruinous character portrayals of his brother Lyle.
The series, created by Ryan Murphy, delves into the infamous case of the Menendez brothers who were convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to murder. While prosecutors alleged that the brothers committed the murders to inherit the family fortune, Erik and Lyle’s legal team argued that they acted in self-defense after years of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse by their parents.
Erik Menendez criticized the show for taking a step back by building a narrative based on outdated beliefs about male abuse victims and reinforcing harmful stereotypes. He emphasized that violence is never the answer and expressed hope that the true stories of abuse victims will not be overshadowed by fictionalized portrayals in the media.
Netflix has not responded to Erik Menendez’s comments, but the backlash highlights the importance of accurate and sensitive representation of true crime cases. As the show premieres on Sept. 19, viewers will be watching closely to see how the Menendez brothers’ story is depicted on screen.
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