Following the gripping success of “Dahmer,” Ryan Murphy is set to release “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” on Netflix on September 19. This second installment in his true crime anthology series delves into the chilling case of the Menendez brothers, whose trial captivated the nation in the early 1990s.
The Menendez Brothers, Lyle and Erik, became infamous after the 1989 murder of their parents. The ensuing criminal trial, broadcast across America, hinged on the defense strategy led by Erik Menendez’s legal counsel, Leslie Abramson. Abramson argued self-defense, citing severe abuse by their father, José Menendez, and the mother’s complicity, Kitty Menendez. In contrast, prosecutor Pam Bozanich contended that the brothers were motivated by financial greed, pointing to their lavish spending after inheriting their family’s fortune.
The initial trial concluded with a hung jury, leaving the Menendez case unresolved until a retrial in 1995. This second trial, conducted without cameras in the courtroom, resulted in a guilty verdict for Lyle and Erik Menendez on two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy. On July 2, 1996, they received life sentences without parole.
Below is a guide to the actors portraying Lyle Menendez, Erik Menendez, Kitty Menendez, José Menendez, and other pivotal figures involved in this notorious legal drama.
José Menendez
Javier Bardem as Jose Menendez in Netflix's Monsters series, portraying the wealthy and allegedly abusive father.
Javier Bardem takes on the role of José Menendez, the affluent businessman accused of abuse and father to Lyle and Erik. José and his wife, Kitty Menendez, were murdered by their sons on August 20, 1989, setting off the chain of events explored in “Monsters.”
Mary Louise ‘Kitty’ Menendez
Chloe Sevigny as Kitty Menendez in Monsters: The Menendez Brothers Story, depicting the mother and alleged enabler of abuse.
Chloë Sevigny portrays Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, the mother of Lyle and Erik. The defense argued that Kitty was aware of and possibly enabled the alleged abuse by her husband, contributing to the brothers’ actions. She was also murdered by her sons on August 20, 1989.
Lyle Menendez
Nicholas Chavez as Lyle Menendez, the older brother in the Netflix Monsters series about the Menendez Brothers murder case.
Nicholas Chavez (“General Hospital”) will play Lyle Menendez, the elder of the two brothers. Lyle and Erik’s televised trial made them figures of national attention during the 1990s. He, along with his brother, was sentenced to life imprisonment on July 2, 1996, for the murder of their parents.
Erik Menendez
Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez in Monsters: The Menendez Brothers Story, the younger brother involved in the infamous murders.
Cooper Koch (“Swallowed,” “They/Them”) embodies Erik Menendez, the younger brother. Before the murders, Erik was a promising tennis player, once ranked 44th nationally. His confession to his therapist initiated the legal proceedings that led to his and Lyle’s life sentences on July 2, 1996.
Dominick Dunne
Nathan Lane as Dominick Dunne in Monsters: The Menendez Brothers Story, portraying the Vanity Fair journalist covering the trial.
Nathan Lane plays Dominick Dunne, the Vanity Fair journalist who provided extensive coverage of the Menendez Brothers’ highly publicized murder trial, bringing media scrutiny to the courtroom drama.
Leslie Abramson
Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson, Erik Menendez's defense lawyer, in Netflix's Monsters: The Menendez Brothers Story.
Ari Graynor (“Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty”) stars as Leslie Abramson, the Los Angeles defense attorney and lead counsel for Erik Menendez. As Erik’s Monsters Cast Lawyer, Abramson’s strategy centered on justifying the murders as a response to years of parental abuse, making her a central figure in the legal battle.
Dr. Jerome Oziel
Dallas Roberts as Dr. Jerome Oziel in Monsters: The Menendez Brothers Story cast, the therapist who played a crucial role in the case.
Dallas Roberts (“Glass Onion”) is Dr. Jerome Oziel, Erik Menendez’s therapist. Oziel became a key figure when Erik confessed the murders to him during therapy sessions, a confidence that was later broken and significantly impacted the legal proceedings.
Judalon Smyth
Leslie Grossman as Judalon Smyth in Monsters: The Menendez Brothers Story Netflix series, the lover of Dr. Oziel who reported Erik's confession.
Leslie Grossman (“American Horror Story”) portrays Judalon Smyth, former lover and patient of Dr. Jerome Oziel. Smyth’s role was critical as Oziel confided in her about Erik’s confession, which she then reported to the police, leading to Erik Menendez’s arrest and the unfolding legal drama.
Les Zoeller
Jason Butler Harner as Detective Les Zoeller in Monsters: The Menendez Brothers Story cast, the lead investigator in the Menendez murders.
Jason Butler Harner (“Ozark”) embodies Les Zoeller, the Beverly Hills detective who spearheaded the murder investigation into the Menendez Brothers, tasked with unraveling the truth behind the gruesome crime.
Carlos Baralt
Enrique Murciano as Carlos Baralt in Monsters: The Menendez Brothers Story, portraying the uncle of Lyle and Erik Menendez.
Enrique Murciano (“The Night Agent”) plays Carlos Baralt, Lyle and Erik Menendez’s uncle and brother-in-law to José Menendez. As family dynamics played a role in the narrative, Baralt represents the extended family’s involvement in the Menendez saga.
