Erik Menendez, who was convicted of the 1989 murders of his parents with his brother Lyle, has criticized Netflix’s show “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” as filled with “awful lies” and a “horrible narrative.” The show is the second season in Ryan Murphy’s “Monster” anthology and follows the lead up and aftermath of the Menendez murders. Erik’s wife, Tammi Menendez, posted his response to the series, calling it a dishonest portrayal of the events and criticizing the depiction of the sexual abuse the brothers accused their father of.
The statement posted by Tammi Menendez expressed disappointment in the portrayal of the crimes and the brothers’ past, suggesting that the show took a step backward in addressing childhood trauma and violence. The statement also criticized Netflix for undermining progress in shedding light on such issues and for potentially perpetuating harmful stereotypes about male victims of abuse.
In addition to Erik’s criticism, the show has also faced backlash from viewers for suggesting an incestuous relationship between the brothers, a claim that is not supported by the book “The Menendez Murders” by journalist Robert Rand. Ryan Murphy, the creator of the show, has not publicly responded to the criticism. Overall, there has been strong pushback against “Monsters” for its portrayal of the Menendez family tragedy, particularly with regards to the sensitive topics of abuse and family dynamics.
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