Ryan Murphy’s latest true-crime series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is causing a major stir, and not just for its binge-worthy plot. The Netflix show dives into the infamous 1989 murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez by their sons, Lyle and Erik, but it’s the controversial portrayal of their relationship that’s turning heads.
Erik Menendez Calls Out “Dishonest Portrayal”
Erik Menendez, serving time for the murder of his parents, has slammed the series from behind bars. His main issue? The depiction of a sexual relationship between him and his brother, Lyle.
“It’s a dishonest portrayal,” Erik stated, clearly unhappy with how Murphy’s series handled the sensitive topic. Many viewers have echoed Erik’s discomfort, questioning why the show chose to focus on these accusations.
“I believed we had moved beyond the lies and ruinous character portrayals of Lyle, creating a caricature of Lyle rooted in horrible and blatant lies rampant in the show,” reads his statement.
“I can only believe they were done 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.”
Is It Too Sensational?
The inclusion of such scenes has sparked a fiery debate online. Some argue that Murphy is sensationalizing a tragic case, while others feel it distracts from the Menendez brothers’ claims of abuse, a key part of their defense during the trial.
The real question: how far is too far when portraying true crime?
Ryan Murphy Defends His Choices
Ryan Murphy isn’t shying away from the backlash. He responded to the criticism in a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, noting that Erik hasn’t even seen the series since he’s currently in prison. “I hope he watches it,” Murphy said, adding that the show presents multiple perspectives, not just the brothers’.
Exploring the Complexity of the Menendez Case
In Monsters, Murphy tackles the brothers’ abuse claims, which are crucial to understanding their actions. He insists the show takes a balanced approach, showing the parents’ stories alongside the brothers’ narratives.
“It’s a tough case with lots of angles,” Murphy explained, “and we wanted to explore that complexity, not just present one side.”
True Crime That Makes You Think
Despite the controversy,Murphy’s Monsters is thriving on Netflix. It’s made viewers both uncomfortable and curious, drawing attention to the dark complexities of the Menendez case. Love it or hate it, people are watching, and it’s sparking conversations everywhere.
Murphy hopes viewers will keep an open mind and think critically about the multiple sides of the story. With Monsters being so popular on Netflix, the debate over its portrayal will likely continue.
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