Ryan Murphy’s Menendez Brothers Series Sparks Concern Over Unproven Incest Plot
Netflix’s latest true crime series, Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story, has raised eyebrows with its portrayal of the infamous brothers. The show, created by Ryan Murphy, hints at a homoerotic incestuous relationship between Lyle and Erik, which has left some viewers questioning the accuracy of the depiction. The trailer for the series shows the brothers shirtless and embracing, which creates a false impression.
Robert Rand, a journalist who covered the Menendez trials extensively, weighed in on the controversy. “There was never any evidence that the brothers had a sexual relationship,” Rand said to The Hollywood Reporter.
Murphy’s Creative Liberties
This is not the first time Murphy has taken creative liberties with his shows. His previous series, Hollywood, was criticised for fabricating facts around characters based on real-life people. While artistic freedom is essential in storytelling, some argue that it should not come at the expense of historical accuracy, especially in true crime stories.
Ryan Murphy Responds to Criticism
In response to Erik Menendez’s criticism of the show’s portrayal of the brothers’ relationship, Ryan Murphy told E! News, “What the show is doing is presenting the points of view and theories from so many people who were involved in the case. Dominick Dunne [a Vanity Fair reporter played by Nathan Lane] wrote several articles talking about that theory. We are presenting his point of view, just as we present [Menendez defence attorney played by Ari Graynor] Leslie Abramson’s point of view. We had an obligation to show all of that, and we did.”
The Menendez Brothers’ Story
Lyle and Erik Menendez gained notoriety in the 1990s for the brutal murder of their wealthy parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. The brothers claimed they acted in self-defence after years of alleged sexual abuse by their father. The case garnered significant media attention and sparked discussions about privilege, justice, and family dynamics.
Jose Menendez’s Connection to Menudo
Adding another layer to the Menendez family’s troubled history, it has been revealed that the brothers’ father, Jose Menendez, was the producer of the popular Puerto Rican boy band Menudo. In the documentary series Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed, former Menudo member Roy Rosselló alleged that Jose Menendez sexually abused him and other members of the band. This disturbing revelation sheds new light on the dynamics within the Menendez family and the alleged abuse the brothers claimed to have suffered.
The LGBTQIA+ Community’s Perspective
The portrayal of the Menendez brothers’ relationship in Monsters has struck a chord with the LGBTQIA+ community. While representation in media is crucial, some worry that suggesting an incestuous relationship between the brothers may perpetuate harmful stereotypes and sensationalise their story for entertainment purposes.
As the series continues to generate buzz, it remains to be seen how it will handle the sensitive topics it has introduced. Viewers are encouraged to approach the show with a critical eye and remember that creative liberties may have been taken in the retelling of this tragic tale.
