The Netflix series "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story," detailing the murder of José and Kitty Menendez, has become a sensation on the internet, sparking renewed interest in their story.
Social media users have not stopped creating new content about the case, mostly providing more information about the brothers' history or explaining some unresolved aspects presented throughout the series produced by Ryan Murphy.
However, this is not the only type of content being shared.
In recent weeks, a new TikTok trend related to the series has gone viral, one that some consider highly problematic. This trend involves users imitating the Menendez brothers' fashion sense, presenting them as "fashion icons."
While this content might seem harmless at first glance, it's important to remember that these individuals inspiring outfits are the same men convicted of their parents' double homicide.
@hernanavarrooo Estoy obsesionado con sus outfits 🥲 #viral
♬ I'm Gonna Miss You - Milli Vanilli
Although the case has sparked mixed reactions due to the dark secrets revealed during the trial—alleging physical, psychological, and sexual abuse by José Menendez towards his sons—there's no doubt that Erik and Lyle were the executors of a heinous crime.
By participating in these TikTok trends, users trivialize the tragic events that shaped the Menendez brothers' lives.
This raises ethical concerns about how social media distorts and glamorizes real-life trauma and violence, turning it into an opportunity for views and likes.
Chasing Social Media Clout
Why is this happening? When something becomes trendy, it's common for content creators to jump on the bandwagon to gain traction and satisfy audiences eager for information.
In the case of the Menendez brothers, a collective craze has formed that extends beyond the digital world. Netflix released a documentary on Monday, October 7, from the brothers' perspective, and their case is currently being reviewed by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office.
This is not the first time such a situation has occurred. In fact, the first installment of Murphy's series, "Monsters: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story," faced similar backlash for its casting choices and for the romanticization of Dahmer's figure simply because he was portrayed by actor Evan Peters. A similar issue arose with Zac Efron's portrayal of Ted Bundy.
zac efron interpretara el papel de ted bundy, un asesino en serie de mujeres, en la nueva película 'extremely wicked shockingly evil and vile' y estoy que muero por ver cómo actua de malo bn sexy pic.twitter.com/aUpF8WBlWn
— 𝕟𝕦𝕔𝕒𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕚 (@s_smnuca99) February 28, 2018
This phenomenon of glorifying criminals through fashion and other superficial means has not been limited to the Menendez brothers. A recent example is the movie "Saltburn," directed by Emerald Fennell.
The film went viral for several reasons, including the presence of heartthrob Jacob Elordi. However, what truly sparked a trend on TikTok was the final scene, where Barry Keoghan's character, Oliver, dances nude through his mansion after swindling the previous owners out of their fortune.
@nothumera had to do the saltburn thing while i was at home 😛 #saltburn #dallas #saltburntrend
♬ Murder On The Dancefloor - Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Soon after, TikTok users began recreating this scene while showcasing their own extravagant properties. Criticism poured in, with many pointing out that the trend participants seemed to have misunderstood or completely ignored the film's underlying message.
These situations are concerning because they glorify the image of real or fictional criminals when these productions should be seen through a critical lens that allows audiences to understand the gravity of these cases. The popularity of such trends raises questions about the responsibility of both content creators and platforms in influencing how the public perceives serious crimes and their perpetrators.
In the end, while social media trends may come and go, the impact of trivializing trauma and glamorizing criminal behavior could have long-lasting effects on how society views and processes real-life tragedies.
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