AceShowbiz - In a statement released through his wife's online account, Erik Menendez slammed Ryan Murphy's depiction of the notorious crime, claiming "Netflix's dishonest portrayal of the tragedies surrounding our crime have taken the painful truths several steps backward." He condemned the series for perpetuating outdated narratives about male sexual abuse, which he believes have been debunked by countless victims over the last two decades.

Murphy defended his show in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, stating that "we do it [depict the abuse] very carefully and we give them their day in court and they talk openly about it." He emphasized that the series presents multiple perspectives on the brothers' motives, including their claims of self-defense against years of abuse.

Menendez, however, disputed the show's accuracy, claiming that it perpetuates "vile and appalling" characterizations of himself and his brother Lyle. "Is the truth not enough?" he asked, expressing disappointment over the perceived setback in understanding childhood trauma.

The Netflix series follows the events leading up to the Mendenez brothers' murder trial, with Nicholas Chavez and Cooper Koch portraying Lyle and Erik, respectively. The cast also includes Javier Bardem and Chloe Sevigny as their parents.

Despite the controversy, "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story" has been praised for its compelling storytelling and strong performances. However, Menendez's criticism highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the depiction of true crime stories and the responsibility of filmmakers to accurately and respectfully portray the complexities of real-life events.