This article references domestic and sexual abuse.
True crime docs are quite notorious at this point, and we predict that the upcoming addition, Netflix's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, will be no exception.
From creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, who brought us the first shocking Monsters series centred around Jeffrey Dahmer, this instalment will explore the story of Lyle and Erik Menendez, who were sent to prison in the 1980s for shooting their parents. But is there more to the story?
It's quite the story.
Here's everything we know so far about Netflix's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story – including the true events that inspired the series and its September release date.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story release date
It will drop on Netflix on 19 September.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story trailer
This one looks seriously screwed up, there's no two ways about it.
What is Netflix's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story about?
Netflix's plot synopsis for the TV series reads as follows: “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story follows Lyle and Erik Menendez, two brothers who fatally shot their parents in their Beverly Hills home in 1989.
"During their trials, the brothers cited years of abuse as the reason for murdering their parents. However, prosecutors argued that their motive was to get their hands on the family fortune.”
Is Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story a true story?
Yes it is – Lyle and Erik Menendez gained notoriety in 1989 after becoming suspects for the murder of both of their parents.
In court, they cited sexual, physical and emotional abuse as reasoning behind their actions, however it was argued that they actually committed the crimes they did to gain family money.
Both brothers were convicted of first-degree murder and life in prison, with no possibility of parole. The series will explore the events that surrounded the murders.
New evidence that corroborates claims of abuse has recently surfaced, which might change the fate of the two brothers. Lyle stated in court that he was sexually abused by his father at six years old. Erik reported that the abuse never ended for him, and confided in his brother just days before the crime was committed. The brothers said that they believed their parents would kill them to protect the secret of the abuse coming out. Family members and friends also described incidents of emotional and physical abuse in court.
At the time their parents died, the brothers initially reported to officers that they found them both shot to death at close range.
There was also speculation that it was a mob hit, due to potential contacts father Jose might have made in his career in the home video industry. Both brothers confessed to the killings in therapy, which led to their arrest.
What was Monsters season one about?
It was called Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, and chartered the story of Jeffrey Dahmer, one of the most infamous serial killers in US history. Evan Peters played Dahmer, whose life was dramatised – including the instances where he was nearly caught out his crimes, before his final imprisonment.
The series became one of Netflix's most-watched shows of all time, so there's no surprise we're getting a second season.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story cast
Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny will star as parents Jose and Kittz Menendez, and will be joined by Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch to play Lyle and Erik respectively.
Also joining the cast are Nathan Lane (who will play a journalist covering the trial), Ari Graynor, Leslie Grossman, Dallas Roberts, Jason Butler Harner, Enrique Murciano, Michael Gladis, Drew Powell, Charlie Hall, Gil Ozeri, Jeff Perry, Tessa Auberjonois, Tanner Stine, Larry Clarke, Jade Pettyjohn and Marlene Forte.
