Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story Rotten Tomatoes

Overview

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is a 2023 American true crime documentary series that explores the murders of José and Kitty Menendez, committed by their sons Lyle and Erik Menendez in 1989.

The series features interviews with the Menendez brothers, their family members, friends, and law enforcement officials, and presents a detailed account of the events leading up to the murders, the trial, and the aftermath.

Critical Reception

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story has received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its detailed account of the murders and the insightful interviews with the Menendez brothers and those involved in the case.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the series has a critical approval rating of 80% based on 25 reviews, with an average rating of 7 out of 10. The website's consensus reads, "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is a well-crafted and thought-provoking true crime series that provides a nuanced look at one of the most infamous murder cases in recent history."

Praise for the Series

Critics praised the series for its detailed account of the murders and the insightful interviews with the Menendez brothers and those involved in the case.

Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "Monsters is a welcome addition to the true crime canon, offering a nuanced and gripping account of one of the most infamous murder cases in recent history."

Angie Han of The New York Times wrote, "The series does an excellent job of presenting the facts of the case in a clear and concise manner, while also providing a deeper look at the psychological factors that may have contributed to the murders."

Criticism of the Series

Some critics found the series to be too sympathetic towards the Menendez brothers and questioned the amount of time given to their perspective on the murders.

David Ehrlich of IndieWire wrote, "The series is often too sympathetic towards the Menendez brothers, giving them a platform to justify their actions without adequately challenging their claims."

Caroline Framke of Variety wrote, "The series spends so much time on the brothers' perspective that it sometimes feels like a de facto retrial, with the filmmakers acting as the defense attorneys."

Conclusion

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is a well-crafted and thought-provoking true crime series that provides a nuanced look at one of the most infamous murder cases in recent history.

The series features detailed interviews with the Menendez brothers, their family members, friends, and law enforcement officials, and presents a comprehensive account of the events leading up to the murders, the trial, and the aftermath.

While some critics found the series to be too sympathetic towards the Menendez brothers, overall, it is a gripping and insightful exploration of a complex and tragic case.

Monsters The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story Rotten Tomatoes