Javier Bardem has responded to the Eric Menendez’s criticism of Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story, the show based on the real life murder of his parents.
The Netflix show tells a dramatised version of the infamous Menendez Brothers case, in which Erik and Lyle Menendez were found guilty of murdering their parents and are now serving life sentences in prison.
Although Erik and his brother have been in prison since 1996, Erik has been able to watch the Netflix series, and it’s safe to say he is not a fan.
In a statement shared by his wife Tammi on social media, Erik slammed the series, calling it a "dishonest portrayal" and "inaccurate".
He also said the depiction of his brother Lyle was rooted in "blatant lies".
This is the official response from Joan VanderMolen (Erik's Aunt) and the Menendez Family to the Netflix Series" "Monsters, the Lyle and Erik Menendez Story" and to Ryan Murphy.#Menendez #NetflixMonsters #RyanMurphy pic.twitter.com/o7KEOEoYwr
— Tammi Menendez (@TammiMenendez1) September 26, 2024
Javier Bardem, who plays the Menendez father Jose in the series, has responded to his criticism, saying that he understands Erik’s frustration with the series.
“It's his life, and it’s very delicate and I think it’s absolutely normal that he has something to say about it,' Javier told the PA news agency.
"That being said, I know that everybody involved in the show has taken a lot of care and lots of time in research in order to put this together," he continued, "And we as actors have put ourselves into making it with respect and subtlety."
Meanwhile Koch, who portrays Erik Menendez in the series, told PA: "I understand where he’s coming from."
"I cannot imagine what it would feel like to have not only just your life, but the worst part of your life be televised in a Hollywood dramatised retelling.”
"I can’t imagine what that would feel like, and it’s super difficult, and so I sympathise with him, and I stand by him, and I get it."
The 28-year-old said he watched and read recordings from the real-life trials to guide his performance in the series.
"(I was) watching it every day, having it on in the car, and I had him on my nightstand on YouTube. When I went to sleep, I fell asleep to him talking," the actor told PA.
The show, which was created by American Horror Story creator Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, follows on from their first Monster series about US serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.
Who are the real monsters?
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is now playing. pic.twitter.com/wiND3EE4b7
— Netflix (@netflix) September 19, 2024
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