Topline
Netflix's dramatic sequence based mostly on brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez and the homicide of their mother and father drew greater than 50% extra viewers in its second week amid criticism from one brother and a boast from creator Ryan Murphy the present is “best thing to happen to the Menendez brothers in 30 years.”
“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.”
Key Facts
“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” was the most-watched sequence on Netflix for the second week in a row with 153.8 million hours considered from Sept. 23 to Sept. 29, a 57% improve from the 97.5 million hours it was watched in its debut week.
The second season of the anthology sequence “Monster” from Ryan Murphy focuses on the 1989 murders of José and Kitty Menendez, who have been killed by their then 18- and 21-year outdated sons Erik and Lyle, although the two males have slammed the present as a “blatant lie” amid its portrayal of sexual abuse trauma and the suggestion that they had an incestuous relationship.
On Sept. 19, the day of the present's premiere, Erik Menendez shared a statement to X by way of his spouse Tammi's account that accused Murphy of “bad intent,” slammed the show as a step backward in accurately portraying male sexual abuse, and said it included “vile and appalling character portrayals of Lile and of me.”
The extra controversial depictions in the present, like the incest implication and scenes exhibiting Lyle utilizing cocaine, are largely based mostly on the far-flung theories of the late Vanity Fair journalist Dominick Dunne, with no actual proof behind them.
Murphy said he discovered Erik Menendez's commentary “interesting because I know he hasn’t watched the show” and stated he stands by how “Monsters” portrayed the story.
He later slammed the Menendez brothers for claiming “lies after lies” with out particular criticisms after which labeled the present “the best thing to happen to the Menendez brothers in 30 years.”
On Tuesday, The Hollywood Reporter revealed an article with interviews from the present's fundamental actors—together with Cooper Koch, who performed Erik, and Nicholas Alexander Chavez, who performs Lyle—who expressed sympathy for the Menendez brothers but additionally agreed with Murphy that press from the present stands to learn, greater than hurt, the household.
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Did The Menendez Brothers Have An Incestuous Relationship?
Most of the controversy surrounding “Monsters” focuses on the implication the Menendez brothers had a sexual relationship. In the present, Erik and Lyle share a kiss in the second episode and their mom finds them showering collectively in episode six. Both have vehemently denied a sexual relationship, and Murphy has said “there are individuals who say that by no means occurred, there have been individuals who stated it did occur.” Robert Rand, an knowledgeable on the case, advised the Hollywood Reporter he would not assume the pair have been “ever lovers” and said any inappropriate contact between the two would not have been a real relationship, but a “response to trauma.”
Key Background
José and Kitty Menendez have been shot six and 10 occasions, respectively, of their house in August of 1989. Initially, Erik and Lyle advised police they'd been out of the home when the murders occurred, however Erik later confessed the killing to his psychologist, whose mistress told police about the brother's involvement. The Menendez trial was an enormous information occasion, and whereas the brothers by no means denied killing their mother and father, they claimed they shot them out of concern for his or her lives after a lifetime of sexual abuse at the fingers of their father. They stated their mom, who they accused of being an alcoholic and drug addict, enabled her husband's conduct and was additionally bodily abusive. The protection introduced pornographic images of the boys taken by their father, and two folks testified in help of the abuse claims. One prosecutor claimed “men could not be raped.” The first trial ended with deadlocked juries and a second trial, which targeted much less on the abuse claims, led to the conviction of each brothers on two counts of first-degree homicide and conspiracy to homicide. They have been sentenced to life with out the risk of parole and stay in jail.
What To Watch For
Lyle and Erik, now 56 and 53, are awaiting a habeas corpus petition filed final yr that requested for a brand new evidentiary listening to or for the Menendez brothers’ convictions to be vacated. Last yr, new evidence emerged in the case when Roy Rosselló stated he, too, had been raped by José Mendenez, and the brothers' protection workforce found a letter written by Erik to his cousin in 1988 opening up about his father's abuse.
Tangent
“Monsters” was the No. 1 most-watched show on Netflix final week. “Nobody Wants This,” a romantic comedy sequence starring Kristen Bell and Seth Cohen, was in second place with 45.7 million hours considered, lower than a 3rd of “Monsters” in the similar week. “The Perfect Couple” was in third place (30.7 million hours considered), adopted by “Mr. McMahom” (28.2 million) and the fourth season of “Emily In Paris” (25.1 million views). The much-anticipated comedy particular of Ellen DeGeneres, referred to as “For Your Approval,” was the ninth most-watched present in its debut week.
