Ryan Murphy, the renowned creator of hit television shows like American Horror Story and Glee, is standing firm in the face of criticism regarding his latest Netflix series, Monsters: The Menéndez Brothers. In its second season, Monsters explores the high-profile case of Erik and Lyle Menéndez, the siblings who were convicted of murdering their parents, José and Kitty Menéndez, in 1989. The season has sparked controversy, especially among the Menéndez brothers’ family and supporters, but Murphy remains unfazed by the backlash.
Murphy, who has made a name for himself by diving into real-life stories of crime and tragedy, recently shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview with Variety on September 26, 2024. When asked about the Menéndez brothers’ and their family’s outrage over their portrayal in the series, Murphy made his stance clear: he has no plans to engage with the brothers or their family members.
No Plans to Meet Erik and Lyle Menéndez
“I have no interest in talking to them,” Murphy, 58, candidly told Variety when questioned about actor Cooper Koch and Kim Kardashian’s recent visits to the Menéndez brothers in prison. Koch, who plays Erik Menéndez in the series, has reportedly developed a personal connection with the brothers after his portrayal of one of them, and Kardashian has been involved in prison reform efforts, including visiting the brothers as part of her advocacy work.
Murphy expressed his support for Koch and Kardashian’s individual relationships with Erik and Lyle, but he himself does not feel the need to meet them. “It’s very good that Cooper has a relationship with them, and I’m very close, obviously, with Kim Kardashian, who has spoken to them. But I don’t know what I would say to them. What would I ask them? I already know what their perspective is.”
Supporting Kim Kardashian’s Prison Reform Efforts
Murphy praised Kim Kardashian’s work in the realm of prison reform, calling her efforts admirable and important. Kardashian, who has been an advocate for criminal justice reform in recent years, has been instrumental in bringing attention to cases of wrongful conviction and the inhumane conditions faced by many prisoners in the U.S. system. Murphy echoed her sentiments, saying, “I love Kim, and I believe she does God’s work. I believe in prison reform. I believe in everything she believes in.”
Despite his support for Kardashian’s activism, Murphy emphasized that his focus in the series was on telling a particular story, not becoming an advocate for the Menéndez brothers. He added, “I don’t know what I would ask them [the brothers]. What would I ask them? I know what their perspective is.”
Facing the Menéndez Family’s Criticism
Since the release of the new season, the Menéndez brothers’ family has voiced strong objections to their portrayal in Monsters. The family has gone so far as to call out what they perceive as inaccuracies and misrepresentations in the dramatization of the infamous murder case. Erik and Lyle’s loved ones have publicly criticized the series, calling it misleading and damaging to the brothers’ reputations.
Murphy, however, was quick to dismiss the family’s response, suggesting it was neither unexpected nor particularly valid. “The family’s response is predictable at best,” he stated during the interview. “I find it interesting because I would like specifics about what they think is shocking or not shocking. It’s not like we’re making any of this stuff up. It’s all been presented before.”
Murphy’s response highlights his confidence in the accuracy of the series and its retelling of the Menéndez brothers’ case. He further elaborated that the show brings together a wealth of information that has already been presented in other forms of media, but that Monsters is unique in how it presents the full narrative. “What we’re doing is we’re the first to present it in one contained ecosystem. What’s grotesque about it?” Murphy questioned.
The executive producer also took issue with the family’s claims that the series was filled with lies. “[Erik’s wife] Tammi [and] the family, they have always done this — they say, ‘lies after lies.’ But then they don’t say what the lies are. They don’t back up anything,” Murphy asserted, challenging the family to provide specific examples of inaccuracies.
‘Monsters’ Season 2: A Look at the Menéndez Brothers’ Case
The second season of Monsters, which premiered in September 2024, focuses on the shocking events surrounding Lyle (played by Nicholas Alexander Chavez) and Erik Menéndez’s (played by Cooper Koch) 1989 arrest for the brutal murder of their parents, José (portrayed by Javier Bardem) and Kitty Menéndez (played by Chloë Sevigny). The series delves deep into the brothers’ alleged motivations, including their claims of enduring years of abuse at the hands of their parents.
One of the most notable aspects of the season is its portrayal of the brothers’ defense that they acted in self-defense due to years of alleged physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. This element of the story, particularly episodes 4 and 5, has received significant praise from critics and fans alike, who applauded the show for shedding light on the abuse allegations that were central to the brothers’ defense during their trial.
However, despite this praise, Monsters has not escaped criticism. The show has come under fire for several perceived inaccuracies, including the suggestion that Erik and Lyle were involved in a sexual relationship with each other — a claim that many have found to be not only false but harmful. This portrayal has added fuel to the fire in the ongoing debate about the ethical responsibilities of true-crime entertainment.
The controversy surrounding this season of Monsters is not entirely new for the series. Season 1, which focused on the life and crimes of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, also faced backlash. Families of Dahmer’s victims were outraged that they were not consulted before the show aired, a criticism that echoed through the release of the second season. Many felt that Murphy and his team should have made an effort to reach out to the Menéndez brothers’ family to avoid further trauma.
Erik Menéndez’s Public Response
In the wake of the show’s release, Erik Menéndez wasted no time in issuing a public statement condemning the series. Just one day after Monsters premiered, Erik shared his disapproval via a statement on Lyle’s Facebook page. “I believed we had moved beyond the lies and ruinous character portrayals of Lyle,” Erik wrote. “I can only believe they were done so on purpose. It is with a heavy heart that I say, I believe Ryan Murphy cannot be this naive and inaccurate about the facts of our lives so as to do this without bad intent.”
Erik’s statement suggested that he felt Murphy’s portrayal was not simply a matter of artistic license but a deliberate attempt to mislead viewers and vilify the brothers further. The statement expressed Erik’s disappointment in how the brothers were depicted and his belief that the series had the potential to do lasting harm to their image.
Cooper Koch’s Perspective on the Menéndez Brothers
While Ryan Murphy has remained distant from the Menéndez brothers, Cooper Koch, the actor who plays Erik Menéndez, has taken a more personal approach. During a recent appearance on the Today show, Koch recounted his experience of meeting both Erik and Lyle Menéndez during a visit to their prison. The meeting, which took place before the release of the series, left a profound impression on the actor.
“We just looked at each other, and immediately embraced,” Koch said, describing his emotional connection with Erik during their first meeting. “He was so kind. Lyle, too, I got to hug both of them and just be in their presence. They’re such upstanding individuals.”
Koch went on to praise the brothers for their efforts to make positive changes within the prison system. Erik, in particular, has taken on a leadership role by teaching meditation and speech classes to other inmates. Both brothers are also involved in a Greenspace project aimed at improving the environment within the prison.
For Koch, meeting the brothers in person added a new layer of depth to his portrayal of Erik in the series. “It was just amazing to see how much they’ve grown and what they’ve been able to accomplish behind bars,” Koch said, clearly moved by the experience.
Murphy’s Thoughts on the Menéndez Case and Public Opinion
During his Variety interview, Murphy expressed his belief that Monsters has reignited interest in the Menéndez case in a way that hasn’t been seen in decades. “I think Monsters is the best thing that has happened to the Menéndez brothers in 30 years,” he remarked. “They are now being talked about by millions of people all over the world. There’s a documentary coming out in two weeks about them, also on Netflix.”
Murphy emphasized that the renewed attention on the case raises important questions about justice, rehabilitation, and the criminal justice system in general. “I think the interesting thing about it is it’s asking people to answer the questions, ‘Should they get a new trial? Should they be let out of jail? What happens in our society? Should people be locked away for life? Is there no chance ever at rehabilitation?’”
Murphy’s exploration of these complex issues has sparked debates among viewers, many of whom are reconsidering the Menéndez brothers’ case in light of new information presented in the series. “From what I can tell, it’s really opened up the possibility that this evidence that they claim that they have, maybe that there is going to be a way forward for them,” he added, suggesting that the series could potentially influence public opinion and legal outcomes.
Murphy’s Final Thoughts on the Menéndez Brothers’ Future
While Murphy expressed sympathy for the brothers’ situation, he was clear that his role as a storyteller is distinct from that of an advocate. “I believe in justice, but I don’t believe in being a part of that machine. That’s not my job. My job as an artist was to tell a perspective in a particular story. I feel I’ve done that, but I wish them well.”
Murphy also acknowledged that the Menéndez brothers likely would not have received a life without parole sentence if their trial were held today, especially considering the new evidence of abuse that was not allowed during their second trial. “The second trial was a travesty. I think it’s insane that all of the evidence that they claim really happened was not allowed to be admissible. That’s a mistake.”
He further pointed out that societal attitudes towards male victims of abuse may have played a role in the outcome of the trial. “I think a lot of those jurors were homophobic. I think that they refused to accept the idea that sexual abuse could happen to men. I think that’s outrageous.”
In closing, Murphy reiterated his belief in the possibility of change within the justice system. “If there’s new evidence, yes, it should be heard. I also personally do not believe that someone should spend their entire life in prison.”
