By Gwendolyn Burtis
Congruent to the recent release of Monsters, The Erik and Lyle Menendez case, the Netflix docu-series shows the case from many perspectives, including the brothers, and proposes the idea that they were both molested as children and went through constant abuse before they ended their parents’ lives. There has been a recent popularity in the case as well as outrage, as Netflix portrayed a reality that was contrary to true events.
Tammi Menendez, Erik Menendez’s wife, posts this on social media on behalf of Erik: “It is sad for me to know that Netflix’s dishonest portrayal of the tragedies surrounding our crime have taken the painful truths several steps backward…”. Erik directly pointing out how inaccurate the docu-series was gives an increased cause for the spread of misinformation, mainly that the show has a reduced view on their genuine struggles.
Another problem about the show is how they portrayed a fictional relationship between Erik and Lyle. In one episode they share a kiss on the lips, even if such an event never occurred. The show also portrayed Erik as gay, which has proven to be false.
Another complaint about the show is the inconsistency. One Vanity Fair writer claims “That its wild yawning between credibility and cross sensationalism is evident not of a high-minded ambiguity, but of uncertainty.” Or in simpler terms the writers simply muddied the lines between reality and perspective. The writers push past this line in complete incoherance which is specifically important to NOT do talking about such a serious case. The writers and directors claim that the show is not supposed to be 100% accurate but instead a docu-series and they pushed for more of a view of the case from different perspectives. We may never know the true roots of the situation or the story from every perspective, but for now Erik and Lyle serve a lifetime in prison at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California.