It’s been anything but a quiet year for the Menendez brothers. After the explosive Ryan Murphy series that captivated audiences and left no one indifferent, Netflix has now followed up with a documentary titled “The Menendez Brothers”. In just two hours, it provides unprecedented detail about the case.
Directed by Alejandro Hartmann, a celebrated Argentinian documentarian known for his meticulous approach to complex crimes, the production has already drawn praise. Hartmann’s objective storytelling, seen in his retellings of Argentina’s most infamous cases, cements his reputation as a master of the genre.
In keeping with his signature style, Hartmann leaves no stone unturned in “The Menendez Brothers,” gathering a wide range of testimonies. Here’s a look at the voices featured in the documentary.
Do the Menendez brothers speak in the Netflix documentary about their crimes?
When Netflix announced that “The Menendez Brothers” would stand out from previous documentaries on the subject by featuring the testimonies of the brothers themselves, many suspected there had to be a catch. However, that’s not the case.
The Netflix production includes over 20 hours of interviews with both Erik and Lyle Menendez, where they provide an in-depth examination of their case from their perspective, sharing their views on the events surrounding it without holding back. At the beginning of the documentary, they acknowledge that this is their opportunity to be heard, and they certainly take advantage of it.
In addition to the factual elements, the brothers also reveal the emotional toll the situation has taken on them, reflecting on whether they regret their actions and contemplating if there might have been a different way to resolve their conflicts with their parents.
Who gave testimony in Netflix’s ‘The Menendez Brothers’ documentary?
Alejandro Hartmann has done an outstanding job of reconstructing the story of the Menendez brothers. He gathered testimonies from their family, individuals involved in their trials, and journalists who covered the case. Most importantly, he captured their perspectives, highlighting who believes in the brothers’ innocence and who does not. Here are the names of those who participated.
- Diane Vandermolen – Cousin of Lyle and Erik
- Jon R. Conte – Defense expert
- Hazel Thornton – Juror #9 on the 1st Menendez brothers’ murder trial
- John Conte – Defense witness for the Menendez
- Betty Oldfield – Alternate juror on Erik Menendez’s first murder trial
- Joan Vander Molen – Sister of Kitty Menendez
- Alan Abrahamson – Journalist, Los Angeles Times
- Pamela Bozanich – Prosecutor, strongly against the Menendez brothers’ innocence
- Shelley Ross – Producer, ABC News
- Robert Rand – Journalist and author of “The Menendez Murders”
- Ann Burgess – Defense expert for the Menendez
- Stanley Goldman – Veteran L.A public defender
