Everything We Know About 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story'
The next season of Monster—Ryan Murphy’s controversial crime anthology—will dive into one of the most infamous murder trials in American history. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story follows two brothers who were convicted of murdering their parents in 1989. Months after their death, the controversial duo confessed to the attack.
This season follows the success of Murphy's Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. The project, starring Evan Peters, debuted in 2022, eventually becoming Netflix’s second-most popular TV series of all time. Shortly after its premiere, Netflix ordered two additional seasons of the crime series. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story appears to follow a similar format, exploring the crime, the perpetrators, and their trial.
Netflix released a brief, albeit bone-chilling, teaser for the show, featuring an actual 911 call between Lyle Menendez and the police. In the clip, you hear Lyle cry as he reports that his parents have been shot by an unknown assailant. Set against a black backdrop with just the date listed, the eerie teaser invites viewers to revisit the horrific tale. The Menendez brother’s trial has divided people for years, as the public grapples with the gruesome crime and alleged circumstances that led to it. It’s a natural fit for Monster, which, per Deadline, seeks to “tell the stories of monstrous figures who have impacted society.” Keep reading for everything we know about the upcoming series.
What Is Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story About?
Murphy has not revealed exactly which elements of the real-life story he'll follow, but the show will almost certainly cover the Menendez brothers' murder and highly-publicized trial. On August 20, 1989, Lyle told the police that his parents had been shot in their Beverly Hills home. He and his brother were not initially considered suspects, but Erik later confessed to his psychologist, Jerome Oziler, which led to a new investigation.
During their trial, the brothers pled guilty and claimed self-defense. They said they were victims of sexual abuse at the hands of their father and feared for their lives. Each brother was initially tried separately, and in each trial, their juries couldn’t reach a decision. They were later tried together and sentenced to life in prison without parole, at the Richard J.Donovan Correctional Facility, in Southern California—where they remain to this day.
Who Will Star In Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story?
The cast is still under wraps, though Murphy shouldn’t have trouble securing a talented cast. Season One of Monster starred Peters, Nicey Nash, Molly Ringwald, Richard Jenkins, Shaun J. Brown, and Colin Ford.
When Will Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Mendez Story Premiere?
An official release date has not been announced yet, but Netflix confirmed the series will premiere sometime in 2024. We will keep this story updated as new details emerge.
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