Mexico City /
The series ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’directed by Ryan Murphy and available on Netflix, has generated a great stir since its premiere.
The series dramatizes the murders of the parents of the Menéndez brothers, José and Kittyin 1989, and the trials that culminated in his conviction in 1996.
The brothers are currently serving life sentences without the possibility of parole for those crimes andThe series has been criticized by some members of the Menéndez family, who consider it a “grotesque shockadrama.”
Ryan MurphyHowever, he has defended his work and responded to these criticisms forcefully.
Ryan Murphy responds to criticism of ‘Monsters’ series
The controversy surrounding ‘Monsters’ arose when Tammi Menendez, Erik’s wifepublished a statement on social networks expressing the family’s discontent with the series.
In his statement, he described the production as a “grotesque shockadrama” and suggested that it did not accurately represent the reality of the events.
According to the family, the series presented a distorted picture of what happened, stating that it was a series of “lies after lies.”
Ryan Murphy responded shortly after the statement was posted. “The family’s response is, at best, predictable”Murphy commented. Referring to Tammi’s criticism, he expressed skepticism about the accusations of falsehood:
“I find it interesting because I would like to know what they think is shocking or not. It’s not like we’re making any of this up. All of this has already been presented before. What we are doing is being the first to present it in a contained ecosystem. What’s so grotesque about it?
Murphy also highlighted that the Menendez family never specified what the alleged lies in the series were. “Tammi (and) the family, they’ve always done this and they did it recently: they tell ‘lies after lies’, but then they don’t say what the lies are. “They don’t support anything,” added the creator of the series.
Despite the criticism, Murphy believes the series has benefited the Menéndez brothers more than it has harmed them. According to him, ‘Monsters’ has renewed global interest in its case.
“Millions of people around the world are talking about them,” he said.
In addition, he highlighted that in two weeks a documentary about the Menéndezes will be released, also on Netflix, which could open a debate about their current legal situation.
Murphy took advantage of the opportunity to raise questions about justice and rehabilitation.
“We’re asking really tough questions and we’re giving these brothers another trial in the court of public opinion,” he said.
According to the creator, this exhibition could be an opportunity to reexamine the evidence in the case: “From what I can tell, it’s really opened up the possibility that this evidence that they claim to have, maybe it’s a way forward for them.”
Ryan Murphy has no interest in meeting the Menéndez brothers
Murphy also expressed his belief that if the Menendez trial had been held today, the brothers could have faced lesser charges.
“The second trial was a farce. I think it’s crazy that they weren’t allowed to admit all the evidence that claims it really happened,” he said.
Murphy highlighted what he considered homophobic behavior among male jurors, which would have negatively influenced the verdict:
“I think a lot of those jurors were homophobic. I think they refused to accept the idea that men could be sexually abused. “I think that’s outrageous.”
Although actor Cooper Koch, who plays Erik Menéndez in the series, has developed a close relationship with the brothers, even visiting them in prison with Kim Kardashian, Murphy He has made it clear that he “has no interest in talking to them.”
Unlike Koch, who has expressed his desire to be a defender of the Menendezes, Murphy noted that it is not his place to become an activist in this case.
“I believe in justice, but I don’t believe in being part of that machine. That’s not my job. My job as an artist was to tell a perspective in a particular story. I feel like I’ve done that, but I wish them the best.”
Murphy concluded that while he respects the efforts of people like Kim Kardashian, who has been actively involved in prison reform, His focus in this case is limited to his creative work:
“I love Kim and I believe she does God’s work. I believe in prison reform. I believe in everything she believes in. I don’t know what I would say to them. What would I ask them? I know what their perspective is.”
