A case that has reached generational interest has just resurfaced once more. After the biopic series Monsters: A Lyle and Erik Menendez Story was released on Netflix, the morality in question still lingers, are the brothers really guilty?
The initial fascination surrounding the case began decades ago in the 90’s when the trial was covered on television. From the beginning, the brothers were very popular based on their looks, but their story was what brought them sympathy. Since then, the case has been revisited multiple times through documentaries and other media coverage. So, with the most recent television series streaming on Netflix, the case has resurfaced with surprising popularity among this generation.
“With the case being reopened, I think it’s good that they have the opportunity to go on parole. Although they did murder I don’t think their crimes were comparable to that of a serial killer,” said senior Chloe Hartman.
Directly after the show came out, Netflix followed up with a documentary and as of recently, the case is under review once again. The question still remains, is it pretty privilege or innocence that will free the brothers?
“I think they’re guilty in the sense that they killed their parents, but I feel that because there’s evidence that their dad molested children in the past, their story about being victims of sexual abuse is more plausible,” said Hartman
Just because the television adaptation of the Menendez case is popular does not mean that it is accurate. Younger brother Erik Menendez claims that the show is full of blatant lies.
“Social media and Hollywood does take advantage of people’s traumas in order to make money because there are so many documentaries other than the Menedez Brothers biopic that document people’s traumas because they know it’s engaging and that they are going to profit from it.” said Hartman.
It is not uncommon for Hollywood to capitalize off of over exaggerations and make unverified information seem factual.