Netflix’s new documentary series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” which covers the case of the Menendez brothers, is drawing attention as it stands as one of the top streamed films.
The series has emerged as another entry in the Monster franchise on Netflix, raising audience controversy with its portrayal of the Menendez brothers’ case.
The film stars Nicholas Chavez and Cooper Koch and unfolds as a true crime documentary around the case of the Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik Menendez. The pair murdered their parents in 1989, but their arrest drew significant media attention as they allegedly suffered years of abuse by their parents. The film reveals buried trauma and betrayal through the story of the 1989 case.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, a site that determines the quality of films through the perspectives of critics and general viewers, top critics only rate the show a 4.7 out of 10, demonstrating how it fails to meet expectations. Critics point to its flaws, noting that while the series showcases significant creative ambition, it ultimately falls into the trap of overindulgent storytelling.
Contrastingly, some viewers, such as Ivy Gan, a nursing and cinematography student at Arizona State University, say the show confronts a complex case with caution and careful steps, making it a compelling watch.
“I think the show navigates this topic carefully, allowing viewers to engage with the material without feeling overwhelmed. It’s refreshing to see a series that doesn’t shy away from difficult themes but approaches them thoughtfully. It made it a compelling watch, drawing me in while still encouraging reflection,” Gan said.
The show continues to gain viewers, along with more controversy and debate. According to Luminate, the watch minutes on the show hit highest on Sept. 27, 2024, in the “Streaming Originals: Television” category. It remains fourth in the number of watch minutes as of October.
However, the 500 viewer ratings for the show on Rotten Tomatoes prompt more positive consideration of its quality, with an overall rating of three out of five stars.
Laila Jedkins, a sophomore at Carlmont High School, notes flaws in the series. She thinks it fails to adequately introduce the characters’ backgrounds, leading to a disconnect for viewers and obscuring the motivations of the Menendez brothers. Like many critics, she points out that the show focuses too much on drama and doesn’t capture the case’s real impact.
“When I first started watching the series, I wanted to know the full story of each person because it helps me understand their motivations and the emotional impact of their actions. I don’t think the show did enough of that,” Jedkins said. “The series feels like it prioritizes drama over what happened. The storytelling is sensationalized, and the pacing is all over the place. It misses the emotional weight of what actually happened.”
Yet interest in the show remains high, especially among those who haven’t seen it yet. Gul Surucu, a 10th-grade Carlmont student, is very familiar with the case. She wants to see how the show portrays everyone involved and whether it shows bias toward different groups.
“I’m really curious to see how the show portrays everyone involved. Since I already know about the case, I want to pay attention to any biases in how they present the characters. It’ll be interesting to see if the show offers a balanced perspective or leans one way,” Surucu said.
The ongoing debate surrounding “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” overall questions the show’s ability to successfully portray aspects of the Menendez brothers’ case.
“It’s a solid show to watch when you’re bored, but don’t expect it to stick too closely to the real facts of the case. It’s more about the drama than the details,” Gan said.
