September 4, 2024 — In the second installment of the Monster anthology series, Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan tackle another high-profile case that captivated the nation in the ’90s. Coming to Netflix on Sept. 19, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story tells the story of two brothers who killed their parents on Aug. 20, 1989, and the events surrounding the brutal slayings. (Both were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.)

Created by Murphy and Brennan, the first iteration of Monster, DAHMER — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, premiered in 2022 and chronicled Jeffrey Dahmer’s (Evan Peters) gruesome murders between 1978 and 1991. DAHMER was a record-breaking success on Netflix, reaching 1 billion view hours in its first 60 days. The 10-episode series is only one of four series, including Stranger Things and Squid Game, to achieve such a milestone. Hot off the first iteration’s success, Monster was picked up for two additional installments of following notorious figures who left their mark on society. Here’s everything you need to know about Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

What’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story about?

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story follows Lyle and Erik Menendez, two brothers who fatally shot their parents in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. During their trials, the brothers cited years of abuse as the reason for murdering their parents. However, prosecutors argued that their motive was to get their hands on the family fortune.

Can I watch the Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story trailer?

Check out a chilling sneak peek of the series up top. Watch as the Menendez brothers rationalize the killing of their parents and bask in the media attention when they enter the courtroom. Also, get a first glimpse of Nathan Lane as investigative journalist Dominick Dunne.

Who’s in the cast of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story?

• Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny star as parents Jose and Kitty Menendez, with newcomers Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch portraying brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez.

• Nathan Lane also joins the cast as investigative journalist Dominick Dunne, who covered the trials for Vanity Fair.

• Ari Graynor will play Leslie Abramson, one of the most prominent Los Angeles defense attorneys in the ’80s and ’90s who becomes lead counsel for Erik Menendez.

• Leslie Grossman (American Horror Story) will play Judalon Smyth, a former patient and mistress of Erik Menendez’s therapist, Dr. Jerome Oziel, who found herself entangled in the Menendez case — and who ultimately played a key role in Lyle and Erik’s arrests.

• Dallas Roberts will play Dr. Jerome Oziel, the self-protective and not-entirely-by-the-book therapist who Erik Menendez sees after the murder of his parents.

• Jason Butler Harner will play Les Zoeller, the Beverly Hills PD detective in charge of the Menendez murders case. A to-the-point, logical man in search of the truth.

• Enrique Murciano will play Carlos Baralt, an Americanized Cuban immigrant, professor, and lawyer. He’s the uncle of Lyle and Erik, brother-in-law to Jose Menendez, and the executor of the Menendez will.

• Michael Gladis will play Tim Rutten.
• Drew Powell will play Detective Tom Linehan.
• Charlie Hall will play Craig Cignarelli.
• Gil Ozeri will play Dr. William Vicary.
• Jeff Perry will play Peter Hoffman.
• Tessa Auberjonois will play Dr. Laurel Oziel.
• Tanner Stine will play Perry Berman.
• Larry Clarke will play Brian Andersen.
• Jade Pettyjohn will play Jamie Pisarcik.
• Marlene Forte will play Marta Cano.

Alexis Martin Woodall (DAHMER, American Horror Story, Feud), Eric Kovtun (DAHMER, The Watcher, Ratched), David McMillan (DAHMER), Louise Shore (Lessons in Chemistry, American Crime Story), and Carl Franklin (DAHMER, Good Behavior) serve as executive producers alongside Murphy and Brennan.

Can I see first-look photos from Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story?

Yes, right here! Witness the stone-faced Menendez brothers in the courtroom during their trial. And peek in on Jose and Kitty sharing some ice cream in the living room where their murder will take place.

What’s the Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story release date?

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story arrives on Netflix Sept. 19.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story stars Javier Bardem, Chloë Sevigny, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, Cooper Koch, and Nathan Lane