All that Ryan Murphy touches seems to turn to gold, no matter the genre. Known for crafting everything from laugh-out-loud comedies to chilling horror, Murphy has returned to one of his strongest genres: true crime.
His latest release, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” is a testament to his expertise, racking up incredible numbers on Netflix just hours after its debut, according to FlixPatrol. The show delves into the shocking 1989 murders of José and Kitty Menéndez by their own sons, a case that captivated and horrified the nation.
With most viewers having already binge-watched all nine episodes, curiosity about the series’ deeper layers is at an all-time high. Here are 10 jaw-dropping facts about “Monsters” that will keep you thinking. Be warned, some spoilers lie ahead!
10 jaw-dropping facts about ‘Monsters’
1) Ryan Murphy is here to stay
If you’ve binge-watched both seasons of “Monsters” and are eager for more chilling tales of brutal killers, you’re in luck, because there’s definitely more to come. In 2018, co-creator and showrunner Ryan Murphy signed a $300 million deal with Netflix to produce original content, and this anthology series has become their most significant collaboration yet.
2) ‘Monsters’ has been renewed for a third installment!
With the Menendez brothers’ story expected to draw massive viewership, Netflix renewed “Monsters” for a third season even before the second part premiered. The upcoming installment will center on infamous serial killer Ed Gein, with Charlie Hunnam set to take on the chilling role.
3) Cooper Koch adopted an intimate approach to portray one of the murderers
Cooper Koch, who portrays Erik Menendez, shared with The Wrap that he took great care in getting into character. He explained, “I turned my trailer into Erik’s room so I had clothes everywhere, and I had pictures of him on the wall, pictures of me too. I listened to [Erik] and watched him religiously. And I had my music, I had all different kinds of journals, all different kinds of things to help me really feel like him and be him.”
4) Voices advocating for the Menendez brothers’ innocence
One reason Murphy chose to tell the Menendez case story is the widespread belief that the brothers shouldn’t face such severe backlash and imprisonment for defending themselves against their abusive parents. A popular account, @revisiting_menendez, run by Jordan Wynn, emerged after he watched the entire trial on YouTube and concluded that they were innocent. In a 2021 interview with The New York Times, he expressed his disgust with how the media at the time, and in subsequent years, downplayed the brothers’ abuse.
5) An unlikely inspiration
When asked about the main movies and series that inspired “Monsters,” the producers didn’t primarily mention a horror or crime title. Instead, they highlighted “Rashomon” as a key reference, particularly for its emphasis on presenting multiple viewpoints and perspectives to the audience.
6) A Jose Menendez crafted from zero
Javier Bardem, who portrays the father of the Menendez brothers, shared that it was challenging to find interviews and recorded material about the man he was set to play, as there was very little available. This limited his ability to prepare extensively, so he relied on the thorough research conducted by Ryan Murphy to shape his portrayal of Jose.
7) Gratitude amidst grief
Cooper Koch expressed that his role, along with the characters played by his on-screen parents, Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny, was so harrowing that it deepened his appreciation for his own family. He noted to have developed “a new sense of gratitude for my family and my parents and the way that they raised me and treated me. That really helped me empathize a lot with Erik and to understand that that’s something that he wasn’t given and didn’t have.”
8) The Ryan Murphy universe
Ryan Murphy is known for weaving connections between his shows, and “Monsters” features a nod to the O.J. Simpson case in its final episode. This reference ties back to “American Crime Story,” specifically the acclaimed first season, titled “The People v.s O.J. Simpson,” which achieved remarkable success.
9) The impact of social media conversations surrounding the Menendez case
The creator shared that a significant factor motivating him to bring the story of the Menendez brothers to television was the vibrant discussion surrounding the case among young people on TikTok and Instagram. “There are thousands of TikToks from young people, specifically young women, talking about the Lyle and Erik case,” the producer stated. “I was blown away because it seemed so current to them.”
10) Menendez brothers seek habeas hearing amid “Monsters” release
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the release of the series coincidentally aligns with the brothers’ third attempt to seek a habeas hearing , marking the first step in their efforts to have their imprisonment reduced to time served. As is well-known, they are currently serving life sentences without the possibility of parole for the murders of their parents.