CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses child sexual abuse.
Netflix’s latest true crime series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story has ignited a firestorm of controversy, particularly from Erik Menendez himself.
The show, produced by Ryan Murphy, is the second season of the Monsters series and dramatises the infamous 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, and has drawn significant attention since its release.
Erik Menendez has publicly criticised the series for what he describes as “blatant lies” and a “dishonest portrayal” of him and his brother.
In a heartfelt statement shared by his wife Tammi Menendez on X (formerly Twitter), Erik expressed his disappointment. “I believed we had moved beyond the lies and ruinous character portrayals of Lyle, creating a caricature of Lyle rooted in horrible and blatant lies rampant in the show,” he wrote.
“I can only believe they were done so on purpose,” the statement read, questioning if Ryan Murphy‘s intentions may not be as innocent as they seem.
The series explores the complex dynamics of the Menendez family, with the brothers claiming they acted out of years of abuse at the hands of their father. However, prosecutors argued that their motive was financial gain.
Erik pointed out the dangerous implications of this narrative, stating, “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.”
He emphasised how this portrayal could reinforce outdated beliefs about male sexual abuse, “Back through time to an era when the prosecution built a narrative on a belief system that males were not sexually abused.”
He goes on to write, “Those awful lies have been disrupted and exposed by countless brave victims over the last two decades who have broken through their personal shame and bravely spoken out.”
He suggests that Ryan’s narrative undermines these efforts, “How demoralising to know one man with power can undermine decades of progress in shedding light on childhood trauma.”
Erik urged for a more truthful representation of their story, “Is the truth not enough? Let the truth stand as truth.”
He reminded viewers that violence against children creates “a hundred horrendous and silent crime scenes darkly shadowed behind glitter and glamour”.
Both Netflix and Ryan Murphy have not yet commented on Erik’s statement, but Monsters has been renewed for a third season. Ryan announced earlier this week that season three will be based on serial killer and body snatcher, Ed Gein, who will be played by Charlie Hunman.
Lead Image: Getty Images
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The post The Real Erik Menendez Calls Out Ryan Murphy & Netflix For ‘Blatant Lies’ In Monsters Season 2 appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
