Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story retells the events that led to the 1996 conviction of Lyle and Erik Menendez for the murders of their parents, José and Mary Louise 'Kitty' Menendez. The series traces the brothers' upbringing and the moments that culminated in the killings, then follows the police investigation and the high-profile trials that dominated headlines. It alternates viewpoints between the siblings, their parents, and the legal teams, showing how money, reputation, and media coverage shaped public opinion. It avoids sensationalism, focusing on how ambiguity tainted testimony and headlines.

Released in 2024 for television, the series was created by Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, and Tom Kent, and features a high-profile cast led by Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny, with Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez supporting.

The Menendez murders are entrenched in American true crime lore, and this dramatization renewed interest and debate about family violence, celebrity, class, and media sensationalism. Its release also reignited online debate.

Audience response has been largely positive, the show holds a 7.608/10 average from 465 votes, and critics highlighted the lead performances while debating the ethics of dramatizing a real crime. Many singled out Bardem and Sevigny. Major themes include memory, power, privilege, family dynamics, and the spectacle of televised justice.

As of 2024 release the series had not accumulated major awards or wins. While the performances and production stirred industry conversation, large-scale prize recognition was absent, and the show was discussed more than awarded.