Despite experiencing one of their warmest summers ever recorded, 2024 has had very little sunshine in the US, as citizens continue to grapple with an intense and demanding election season. In a notable move, Republican stalwart, Liz Cheney, supported Kamala Harris publicly in Ripon, Wisconsin, the birthplace of her political party. Concurrently, Donald Trump was in nearby Michigan giving a deeply disturbing speech filled with false accusations against all illegal immigrants. In search of a break from reality, many have turned to a dramatic, polished remake of one of the country’s darkest true crime cases from previous four decades.
The latest Netflix series, Monsters: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menendez, has faced criticism from both reviewers and those portrayed in the series, due to its flashy, vivid depiction of the brutal killing of a rich Hollywood couple by their two sons. The show presents the murder scene in an unsettling combination of horrific violence and aspirational imagery, depicting the well-dressed brothers striding towards their mansion armed with shotguns, to the soundtrack of Don’t Dream It’s Over by Crowded House.
The grim narrative explores themes of privilege, ambition, and the deceptive allure of the American dream, probing allegations made by the brothers of sexual abuse by their father and suggesting an incestuous relationship between them. While the acting is first-rate, the storyline lacks credibility, echoing the superficial flair of a 1980s MTV music video. Erik Menendez, one of the brothers, criticised director Ryan Murphy for his unflattering and disturbing representations of himself and Lyle, accusing it of slandering their characters.
Nonetheless, the series has found great popularity with viewers.
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As the Los Angeles County district attorney, George Gascón, recently announced that his department is reevaluating the notorious Menendez case due to the emergence of new pieces of evidence, there has been a resurgence of public curiosity. This interest has been significantly stoked by Netflix’s dramatisation of the famed Menendez murders, bearing uncanny parallels with elements of the US election. As such, there is now rife conjecture that this might lead to a reconsideration of their sentences or even a retake of their trial.
Whilst the department is reviewing the case, the conclusion has not been drawn. In this context, Gascón pointed out the crucial importance of acknowledging that both genders can suffer sexual abuse. As recently highlighted by the case of Sean Combs, according to the plaintiff’s lawyers, a considerable proportion, around half, of the more than 100 victims alleged are men. Gascón clarified that, despite the said evidence-providing letter that purportedly was dispatched by one Menendez brother discussing being a victim of molestation, they are not implying anything was at fault with the initial trial. The evidence further reveals that one of the popular musical band members claimed he was molested by the father.
The Menendez brothers were conclusively sentenced to life in 1996, seven years after the gruesome murders committed in the summer of 1989, despite enduring two significantly publicised trials. The “abuse excuse” was rejected in a time when the possibility of strong, athletic young men, akin to the Menendez brothers, being victims of abuse was met with scepticism. However, the narrative around sexual abuse has evolved, igniting public interest again in the factors and motivations surrounding the case. It is incontrovertible that the Menendez brothers murdered their parents. Netflix, with impeccably timed planning, is set to air the Menendez story from a fresh standpoint: a documentary spotlighting detailed interviews with the brothers.
There’s a prevailing argument that the obsession of America with true crime can be traced back to 1965, with the release of Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood. Although its authenticity continues to spark debates due to Capote’s blend of reporting and fiction, the novel solidified itself as a timeless piece of non-fiction. The nation has since seen a myriad of series, films and podcasts delving into its darkest narratives. Notable podcasts like Serial and Bone Valley are characterised by their empathy for victims and their families. However, high-rating shows such as Monster have drawn criticism for allegedly prioritising commercial success over authenticity.
In reaction to critiques of his rendition of the tragic family saga of the Menendez brothers, Murphy argued that the brothers should be grateful for the renewed spotlight. He claimed that the attention is not just local, but global. Amid an uneasy political climate in America, the re-emergence of the Menendez narrative has brought renewed focus to longstanding American issues – the unwavering belief in the American dream, the effortless access to firearms, conflicting realities, and the all-pervasive grip of TV shows – all of which reflect the high-stakes dynamics of the current presidential race.