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First look at new Netflix series on the Menendez brothers: See trailer, release date, cast

View Date：2025-04-18 13:54:17

Netflix has offered a first look at the next big production in its true-crime programming.

Titled "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story," the upcoming limited series is the second installment of Ryan Murphy‘s "Monsters" anthology, which began in 2022 with the release of the popular and controversial "Monster: The Jeffery Dahmer Story."

Like the previous iteration, this season will focus on a true crime story, this time following the Menendez brothers, who were convicted of killing their wealthy parents in the late 1980s, capturing the attention of America through the subsequent investigation and trials.

"In the second installment of the 'Monster' anthology series, Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan tackle another high-profile case that captivated the nation in the ’90s," Netflix said in an Aug. 27 release. "'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story' tells the story of two brothers who killed their parents on Aug. 20, 1989, and the events surrounding the brutal slayings."

Here's what Netflix has revealed so far about the upcoming release.

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What is 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story' about?

"Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story" is a dramatized retelling of the crimes committed by the infamous Menendez brothers.

Like "The Jeffery Dahmer Story" which starred Evan Peters, the second installment in the "Monsters" series has cast some big names, including Chloë Sevigny and Javier Bardem, to portray fictionalized versions of the real-life people involved in the case.

The series will follow Lyle Menendez and Erik Menendez, played by Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch respectively. Often referred to as just "the Menendez brothers" during the real-life criminal trials that took place between 1994 to 1996, the pair became known for the murders of their parents, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez.

The killings and subsequent trials captured the American conscience after police found the wealthy parents dead in their Beverly Hills home in August 1989. José was shot in close range by a shotgun six times while Kitty was shot 10. The brothers were present when authorities arrived but told responding officers the killings had occurred when they were out at a movie and festival.

The brothers later admitted to the murders but claimed their actions were a result of years of sexual, emotional and physical abuse. Adversely, prosecutors argued that their motive was actually to inherit the multi-million dollar family fortune, leading to first-degree murder convictions and life sentences for both.