September 20th 2024.
Netflix has faced criticism for including scenes of incest in its latest series, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. The show, which follows the infamous case of two brothers who murdered their parents in 1989, has received backlash for its portrayal of the siblings' relationship.
After the success of Dahmer in 2022, the streaming service released Monsters as its follow-up. The series delves into the murder of Jose and Kitty Menendez by their two sons and the ensuing media frenzy surrounding the case. Lyle and Erik, ages 21 and 18 at the time, claimed their motive was years of abuse at the hands of their parents, but prosecutors argued that their true motivation was the family fortune. The brothers were eventually convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1996.
Even before its release, Monsters received intense backlash for its portrayal of the brothers' relationship. However, after the nine episodes were released on Thursday, both family members and viewers expressed shock at the suggestion that the brothers were lovers. In one scene, Lyle and Erik are shown kissing, while another shows them in a shower together.
Relatives of the brothers, who manage Lyle's Facebook page, condemned the series, calling the idea of a romantic relationship between the brothers "pure evil." They criticized the writers and creators for choosing to portray the brothers as lovers for the sake of sensationalism, and stated that the series was "fiction" and "re-victimizing." They also shared a statement from Erik, who called the show a caricature of his brother and himself, filled with "blatant lies" and portrayed in a "vile and appalling" way.
Many viewers echoed these sentiments, calling the incestuous portrayal of the brothers "horrid," "vile," and "disturbing." Some also criticized the show for sensationalizing a tragic and sensitive story.
The series has also faced criticism for its handling of the brothers' claims of sexual abuse. In previous trials, evidence of their allegations was ruled inadmissible, and the brothers were eventually retried together. Last year, former Menudo member Roy Roselló came forward and alleged that he had been drugged and raped by Jose when he was a young boy.
Ahead of its release, Monsters faced widespread criticism, with some arguing that there was no reason for the show to exist and that not every story needs to be told. Victim Support, an organization that offers support to survivors of rape and sexual abuse, has also been mentioned as a resource for those affected by the series.
In response to the backlash, Netflix has not yet commented on the controversy surrounding Monsters. However, the show has sparked important discussions about the handling of sensitive topics in media and the responsibility to respect the victims and survivors involved.
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