Ryan Murphy, the creator of the new Netflix series "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story," has responded to criticism from Erik Menendez following the show's release, which dramatizes the infamous case of the Menendez brothers who murdered their parents in 1996.

Ryan Murphy Defends Netflix Series Amid Erik Menendez's Critiques and Documentary Announcement

Ryan Murphy Addresses Criticism from Erik Menendez

In a recent red carpet interview, Ryan Murphy defended his series against accusations from Erik Menendez, one of the show's central figures. Murphy expressed his thoughts on Erik's comments, noting that it is challenging for individuals to watch their life experiences portrayed on television. He remarked on Erik's decision to issue a statement about the show without having viewed it, emphasizing the difficulty of seeing personal life events represented onscreen.

Overview of the Series and Its Content

"Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story," which debuted last week, recounts the tumultuous lives of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were convicted for the 1996 murders of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez. While the brothers are currently incarcerated at California's Donovan Correctional Facility and unable to access Netflix, Erik shared his concerns about the show through a post via his wife, Tammi Menendez, criticizing the negative portrayal of Lyle and deeming it a reflection of damaging inaccuracies.

Erik Menendez's Concerns About Representation

In his post, Erik asserted that the series creates a distorted caricature of Lyle, permeated with what he described as blatant lies. He further accused Murphy of contributing to a setback for male victims of sexual assault. Expressing disappointment, Erik stated that the portrayal perpetuates a misunderstanding about male trauma, reversing the progress made in acknowledging such experiences.

Murphy Highlights Focus on Abuse Claims

In response to Erik's remarks, Murphy pointed out that a significant portion of the series—approximately 60 to 65 percent—centers around the brothers' accounts of abuse. He stressed that the scripts were crafted with care to acknowledge their experiences and provide a platform for discussion in the current climate of addressing sexual abuse. Murphy affirmed the importance of representing the perspectives of all parties involved in the narrative.

Future Projects and Upcoming Documentary

Despite the ongoing criticism, Erik and Lyle Menendez are collaborating on a separate documentary with Netflix, set to release later this year. The documentary aims to present their narrative in their own words for the first time in three decades. Through extensive interviews with the brothers, legal figures, and media professionals, acclaimed director Alejandro Hartmann promises to provide unique insights into the case that continues to intrigue the public. The documentary is scheduled to stream on October 7.

The series "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story" is currently available for streaming on Netflix.