This article depicts instances of sexual abuse and contains spoilers for Netflix’sMonstersseason 2.
The real-life trial footage of Lyle and Erik Menendez is more difficult to watch than the dramatized scenes in Netflix’sMonstersseason 2. Thetrue story of Lyle and Erik Menendez, two brothers who pleaded guilty to murdering their parents in 1989, is recapped in ten episodes inMonstersseason 2, an anthology series by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan. The series reexamines the unsettling circumstances surrounding the murders ofJosé and Kitty Menendez, who were accused of abusing Lyle and Erik throughout their childhoods.
Monstersseason 2 stars Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavezas Erik and Lyle Menendez, respectfully. Erik and Lyle were each given life sentences for murdering their parents and have been incarcerated since December 1992. Both Menendez brothers claimed that their father, José, sexually abused them while their mother, Kitty, would violently abuse them when they were kids. Despite the success ofMonstersseason 2 on Netflix, theseries has garnered scrutiny for portraying a false incestuous relationshipbetween Erik and Lyle.
Monstersseason 2 has been in the Top 10 TV Shows on Netflix since it was released on July 31, 2025.
How Erik & Lyle Menendez’s Real Trial Footage Compares To Monsters Season 2
While the dramatized scenes are effective, the true footage is chilling
The real footage of Lyle and Erik Menendez testifying during the murder trial of their parents is much more emotional and unsettling to watch. While Koch and Chavez give solid performances in the dramatized Netflix series, the tension and weight of the real-life trial footage possess a stark gravity that makes it more heavy and compelling than any reenacted scene. WhenErik describes why he would use a lemon to cope with his father’s sexual abuse, for example, the reality of the tragic story is felt more completely than in the Netflix scene.
The real-life trial footage is also more devastating whenLyle is asked about what he did to Erik when they were kids. This confession, that Lyle took Erik into the woods and “played with” his younger brother inappropriately, is remarkably tragic in the context of the entire story. Considering that the actual footage was also the exact moment when this information was made public in real life, it adds another indescribable layer of complexity to the Menendez brothers' story. While the dramatized scenes are effective, the true footage is chilling.
Cooper Koch & Nicholas Chavez Still Give Incredible Performances As Erik & Lyle In Their Monsters Trial Scenes
Koch and Chavez are the clear highlights of the Netflix series
While the actual footage of the Menendez brothers' trial is fascinating in its own right, the performances by Koch and Chavez are outstanding and one of the clear highlights of the series. In particular, Koch’s performance in episode 5 is extremely impressive consideringthe entire 36-minute episode was shot in one take, instantly making it one of the greatest feats of television in 2024. Additionally, Koch actually visited Erik Menendez in prison, gaining an authenticity that certainly shows in his performance. Despite the controversy surroundingMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, the series has sparked new interest in the real brothers as new evidence of their sexual abuse is being reviewed.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
Cast
This true crime drama delves into the infamous case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, two brothers who were convicted of murdering their parents. The series examines the complex family dynamics and legal battles that captivated the nation, highlighting the motivations and repercussions of their actions.
