Ryan Murphy Defends ‘Monsters’ Against Erik Menendez Criticism and Backlash Over Homoerotic Brother Scenes: ‘We Had an Obligation to Show All of That’

As a seasoned reviewer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that Ryan Murphy’s latest offering, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” is nothing short of captivating. The series masterfully weaves together the intricate tapestry of the infamous 1989 murders and subsequent trials with a deft hand.


Ryan Murphy is defending his recently released Netflix series titled “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” which has caused quite a stir since its release on September 19. This series delves into the 1989 murders committed by Lyle and Erik Menendez, their own parents, Jose and Kitty, and the trials that followed, culminating in their conviction in 1996. However, the real Erik Menendez has criticized the show, stating that Murphy’s portrayal of the brothers was both uninformed and inaccurate.

As a movie enthusiast, I found it intriguing that he made a statement without having watched the series himself, as expressed during an interview with Entertainment Tonight. It’s quite challenging, if it’s your own story being portrayed, to witness your life unfold on the screen.

In his statement, Murphy highlights an aspect he believes is not discussed in the quote: a significant portion of the show revolves around the characters’ experiences with abuse, amounting to roughly 60-65%. He also mentions that this portrayal is done sensitively, allowing them their chance to speak out, and providing a platform for open discussions about these sensitive issues.

Murphy played a significant role in the creation of “Monsters” and contributed as a writer to numerous episodes. He expressed that tackling issues of sexual abuse within television can spark debates, yet emphasized that it was crucial for his series to reflect and present various perspectives that surfaced during the murder trial’s proceedings.

Murphy stated that their method was similar to ‘Rashomon’, a scenario where four individuals were involved. Two of these people have passed away. In order to provide a comprehensive account, considering the parents’ viewpoint as well, we felt it was our duty as narrators, and based on our research, we incorporated their perspective into our storytelling,

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but notice and discuss one intriguing aspect in “Monsters” – the portrayal of Erik and Lyle’s relationship, which some find controversial due to its apparent homoerotic and incestuous undertones. The series even includes a scene where they shower together. When asked about the romantic angle between these brothers, Ryan Murphy commented that it was rooted in a genuine perspective that surfaced during the trial.

Murphy stated, ‘The series portrays a variety of perspectives and theories from those associated with the case. As a matter of fact, Dominick Dunne [the character played by Nathan Lane] wrote multiple articles expressing one such theory. Our show includes his viewpoint. It was our responsibility to represent all sides, and we did so.’

The story of the Menendez brothers, known as ‘Monsters’, is currently available for streaming on Netflix. You can watch a complete interview with Murphy from Entertainment Tonight, as discussed in the video below.

@entertainmenttonight

Ryan Murphy addresses Erik Menendez’s comments concerning his latest crime-themed anthology series on Netflix, titled ‘Monsters: Unveiling the Lyle and Erik Menendez Saga’.

♬ original sound – Entertainment Tonight – Entertainment Tonight

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2024-09-24 18:46