Ryan Murphy's new series "Monsters" draws family backlash

The series "Monsters" by Ryan Murphy premiered on Thursday, September 19, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. The first episode was released just a week ago, and the director of the story about the Menendez brothers is already facing criticism from the family.

The story of the Menendez brothers has been stirring public opinion for nearly 30 years. Initially, Erik and Lyle were considered terrifying murderers who killed their parents for no reason. People around the world saw them as heartless monsters. After all, they lived a life of luxury. Huge amounts of money, influence, studies at the best universities, and a bright future—that was their life. However, the facts presented during the trial made many people view them as victims rather than killers.

During the case against the Menendez brothers, horrifying facts came to light. It turned out that both Erik and Lyle were sexually abused by their father. The boys' mother was fully aware of it. In court, they testified that they decided to kill their parents because they saw no other way out. Despite this, the brothers were sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. To this day, many people believe that Erik and Lyle should be acquitted.

Ryan Murphy is an American producer, screenwriter, and director, creator of, among others, the series "American Horror Story". In 2022, his next high-profile show and Netflix hit about serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer premiered. The families of the victims accused the director of lack of empathy and of bringing up the worst memories.

Despite the wave of criticism, Ryan Murphy decided not to stop. In 2024, the second season of the series "Monsters" premiered. This time, the director presented the story of the Menendez brothers. The family of the convicted responded to the production created by the controversial creator. They stated that Erik and Lyle are portrayed in the series as completely different people, like real monsters who killed their parents in cold blood for no reason. In the statement, it was emphasized that the entire family supports the brothers.

"Ryan Murphy’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is a phobic, gross, anachronistic, serial episodic nightmare that is not only riddled with mistruths and outright falsehoods but ignores the most recent exculpatory revelations. Our family has been victimized by this grotesque shockadrama. The character assassination of Erik and Lyle, who are our nephews and cousins, under the guise of a ‘story telling narrative’ is repulsive. We know these men, We grew up with them since they were boys. We love them and to this very day we are close to them [...] Perhaps, after all, Monsters is all about Ryan Murphy," wrote the relatives of the Menendez brothers in a statement.