Menendez Brothers Series ‘Monsters’ Star Javier Bardem Says Netflix Show Is About the ‘Consequences of Trauma’

As someone who lived through the late ’80s and early ’90s in Los Angeles, I find the new series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” incredibly captivating. Growing up here, I knew many people connected to the case, and seeing it all unfold on screen brings back a flood of memories. It’s like stepping into a time machine!

The series ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ invites viewers to serve as jurors for the Menéndez brothers. In 1989, these notorious siblings from Beverly Hills were accused of murdering their parents, a conviction that came in 1996. However, recent insights into sexual abuse have rekindled public interest in this case.

Javier Bardem, portraying José in the show, shared with EbMaster at its Los Angeles premiere that the series revolves around the impact of trauma. If not dealt with appropriately, this unresolved trauma could have a devastating ripple effect across future generations.

The cast and creatives of the series described its “Rashaman” approach to the story.

David McMillian, the writer and producer, expressed that they aimed to show a variety of perspectives and allow the audience to choose what resonates with them. Since we’re discussing real individuals, many of whom are still living, it’s crucial for us to ensure our storyline is based on accurate facts.

Carl Franklin, who helmed the initial two episodes, emphasized that one shouldn’t pass moral or emotional judgments on anyone,” said he. “Instead, you should immerse yourself in the material and strive to portray the most compelling argument for every actor, from all perspectives.

The creators worked diligently to accurately depict the given time period, a detail that Los Angeles native Leslie Grossman, portraying crucial witness Judalon Smyth, affirmed as authentic.

Grossman shared with EbMaster that his sister-in-law used to attend the same class as Erik, and he could easily list ten individuals who were acquainted with those brothers. Revisiting this memory brought back a clear picture of what it was like being in Los Angeles during that particular time period,” Grossman said.

Thomas Newman, a composer, collaborated with his daughter Julia to establish the atmosphere associated with Los Angeles in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Julia pointed out that these locations you pass daily contribute significantly to a larger narrative involving murder and family, a tale deeply rooted in the very essence of Los Angeles,” or

As a passionate cinephile, I’ve been captivated by the way Jess Weixler, portraying Lyle’s lawyer Jill Lansing, has brought a new perspective to the characters from the trials three decades past. Now, we’re seeing them through a lens that is more nuanced and empathetic compared to how they were depicted during those earlier legal proceedings.

This situation is distinct from what it was before, especially concerning how society handles abuse in that manner towards men. It’s uncertain if it would have altered the trial’s result, but I believe it would have been addressed more seriously and not trivialized as a comedy sketch,” she explained further.

FURTHER READING: Erik Menendez Criticizes Netflix Show ‘Monsters’: ‘Ryan Murphy Can’t Be This Unaware and Incorrect’

Ryan Murphy, a producer known for adorning actor’s shelves with Emmys, selected Cooper Koch and Daytime Emmy-winning Nicholas Alexander Chavez to portray Erik and Lyle, the main characters in the series. Neither directly communicated with the imprisoned Mendenezes, but they both immersed themselves in interviews, documentaries, books, articles, and the entire trial broadcast for research.

Koch stated that you are essentially burdening yourself with pain, which can be tough to bear, yet incredibly enlightening and satisfying as you come to comprehend and share the feelings of someone who has experienced something extremely challenging and heartbreaking.

Koch invited viewers to keep an eye out for the fifth episode, titled “The Hurt Man,” which he’s especially pleased with and takes pride in.

“The hurt man is what Erik calls himself growing up,” he added.

Chavez remarked, ‘This series stirs such a mix of feelings within me.’ I believe it’s this complexity that has kept people captivated for so long. I’m eager to find out what the general opinion might be – or if there seems to be a unified view at all.

In conversation with Griffin Dunne, Nathan Lane discussed taking on the role of his late father, renowned journalist Dominick Dunne. “I asked him what he’d like to see in the portrayal,” Lane recalled, “to which he replied, ‘I want people to understand my father’s fervor for advocating for victims and how that trial transformed his life – both professionally and personally.'” Lane continued, expressing his belief that Griffin would be pleased with the character development, especially in episode seven, as it delves deeply into Dominick’s life.

Following the release of “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” this week and “Grotesquerie” coming up next week, Ryan Murphy has an abundance of projects in development. Murphy recently disclosed that Charlie Hunnam will embody infamous serial killer Ed Gein in “Monster’s” third season. McMillian commented, “The world is filled with too many monsters. It’s not just about selecting a monster, but also discovering a new approach to tell this story for a modern audience.

See more photos from the “Monsters” premiere below.

Menendez Brothers Series ‘Monsters’ Star Javier Bardem Says Netflix Show Is About the ‘Consequences of Trauma’