“The way he is attacking them”: Ryan Murphy’s Scathing New Comments on Menendez Brothers Could Become His Ruin
Ryan Murphy is no stranger to controversy, with a career marked by boundary-pushing narratives, his latest Netflix series, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story has thrust the Menéndez brothers’ infamous case back into the limelight. The drama, which revisits the 1989 murder of José and Kitty Menéndez by their two sons, Erik and Lyle, has not been well-received by the family.
In fact, Murphy’s scathing new comments regarding their reaction might prove to be a major misstep. With the brothers’ legal battle being reexamined in the public eye, Murphy’s blunt statements about the Menéndez family’s stance, and his defense of the show, may not only affect his reputation but also fracture the trust of the audience that supports him.
Ryan Murphy’s Scathing Comments on the Menendez Brothers
Ryan Murphy’s blunt attitude toward the Menéndez family’s criticism has drawn significant attention, and in his interview with People, the Monsters creator labeled the family’s response to the Netflix series as “faux outrage.”
I don’t understand what the family can claim didn’t happen because we’re presenting everything that happened as an opinion of other people.
The show doesn’t aim to document the absolute truth of the Menéndez brothers’ story, according to Murphy. Rather, as he explained, the goal is to present multiple perspectives. “We’re not presenting any of it as truth. We’re presenting it as someone’s opinion,” he said, maintaining that the series covers the brothers’ claims of abuse extensively, dedicating “65% of the show” to their point of view.
Murphy seems unfazed by the negative reception from the Menéndez family and has even argued that Monsters has done more to reignite conversations about their case than anything else in the past 30 years.
I think Eric and Lyle did monstrous things — not just the murders, but the other crimes they committed. I think they were morally corrupt at a young age. If you believe the testimony and if you believe the evidence, I think the parents were also monsters.
Murphy remains steadfast in his belief that the show has sparked an important discussion surrounding the brothers’ trials and the potential mishandling of their second court case. His firm stance suggests that he believes the Menéndez family is in denial about the brothers’ guilt.
Audience Backlash and a Threat to Ryan Murphy’s Reputation
Murphy’s unapologetic stance, while in line with his bold storytelling style, may not sit well with his audience. Fans of the Monsters franchise have been left divided by his comments, with many questioning whether he has overstepped his role as a creator. By brushing off the Menéndez family’s pain and describing their criticism as “predictable at best,” Murphy risks alienating a large portion of his viewership. (via Variety).
One of the biggest challenges Murphy now faces is the perception that he is exploiting a real-life tragedy for entertainment value. While the Menéndez brothers’ story is no stranger to public scrutiny, Murphy’s depiction of their lives in Monsters has been labeled as “grotesque” by Erik Menéndez’s wife, Tammi.
His stance that Monsters is “the best thing that has happened to the Menéndez brothers in 30 years” might come across as tone-deaf, especially to those who believe the family’s wounds are still very real and raw
The director has always thrived in the realm of controversy, and his willingness to tackle difficult, even taboo, subjects has earned him accolades and a fiercely loyal fanbase.
But his latest project, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story, and the scathing comments he made about the Menéndez family’s reaction, may push even his most ardent supporters to reconsider their loyalty. Due to this controversy, his upcoming series, Grotesque might suffer, and he will need a lot more damage control to recover, more than he did for Dahmer!
The backlash surrounding Murphy’s statements continues to grow, and while the public conversation around the Menéndez brothers may indeed be reignited, the question remains, but at what cost? Murphy’s bold approach has undoubtedly sparked debate, but whether it will lead to his downfall or further cement his controversial legacy is a question only time will answer.
You can watch Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story on Netflix.
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