After the success of Dahmer, a fictionalized account of convicted serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer aka the Milwaukee Cannibal, director Ryan Murphy brings a new character to the anthology. This time it’s the story of the Menendez brothers, who brutally murdered their parents Jose and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez.
Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch will play the Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, respectively. Javier Bardem will play their extremely wealthy father and former Paramount Studios executive José. While his wife Louise “Kitty” will be played by Chloë Sevigny.
The trailer shows the brothers getting out of a car with two large rifles, then entering their home, followed by gunfire and flashing lights. “Eric and I killed our parents together, so I’d say that brings us pretty close,” Coach says at one point.
It gave a glimpse of an ideal but extremely chaotic family. The spotlight was put on the spoiled brothers who spent their father’s wealth on partying, buying luxuries and still craving “more from life”. It seemed like the boys were after the extra money but the other half of the trailer revealed a darker and hidden story behind the gruesome murder.
“You don’t murder your parents like that. Literally dismember them. It’s not about the money,” says Nathan Lane, who plays investigative journalist Dominic Dunne, as the brothers go through a trial in court. While some believed money was the reason, others felt it was a convenient excuse to stray away from the real story.
Erik and Lyle were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole, claiming their parents abused them physically, sexually, and emotionally. The second installment of the Ryan Murphy anthology critically acclaimed series looks just as interesting as Dahmer.
Despite its graphic screenplay, the show received 13 Emmy nominations, including a Best Supporting Actress nomination for Niecy Nash-Bates — who played Dahmer’s curious neighbor Glenda Clevelandin.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story will be released on Netflix on September 9.
