Netflix's MONSTERS: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story trailer
A new true crime series which covers two brothers murdering their parents features Oscar winners and rising stars in TV. 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.
In the second installment of the Monster anthology series, Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan originally created The Jeffrey Dahmer Story for Netflix in 2022.
All nine episodes in the true crime series will be released on Netflix on Thursday, September 19. With a stellar cast featuring an Oscar winner and recognisable faces, this is who appears in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
Who appears in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story?
Nicholas Alexander Chavez plays Lyle Menéndez
The older Menéndez brother who killed his parents alongside Erik in 1989. Nicholas Alexander Chavez tossed up whether he wanted to play American Football or acting and he ultimately decided upon acting.
Chavez is a rising star in TV after he appeared as Spencer Cassadine in the US series General Hospital and in the Tubi film Crushed.
Cooper Koch plays Erik Menéndez
The younger Menéndez brother also killed his parents with his brother in 1989. He is best known for starring in the slasher film They/Them and the body horror film Swallowed but Monsters is set to be his breakout role.
Javier Bardem plays José Menéndez
The father of Lyle and Erik, he is also a wealthy and powerful businessman in the entertainment industry, serving as an executive at RCA Records and the CEO of Live Entertainment. He is said to be controlling and dominant and expecting high standards from his
Javier Bardem is arguably the most well-known star of the series thanks to his Oscar-winning role of Anton Chigurh in the Coen brothers' western film No Country for Old Men and James Bond flick Skyfall. He has also appeared in Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Darren Aronofsky's horror film Mother!, Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi epics Dune and Dune: Part Two and Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.
Chloë Sevigny plays Mary Louise "Kitty" Menéndez
Lyle and Erik's mother who struggles with mental health issues, including depression, alcoholism, and substance abuse. She is also murdered by her children.
Chloë Stevens Sevigny achieved 'it girl' status in the 1990s thanks to modelling and appearing in music videos for Sonic Youth and The Lemonheads. She transitioned into a movie career with big roles in Boys Don't Cry, American Psycho, Dogville, Z odiac and Mr. Nice.
She also has a respectable TV career thanks to her Golden Globe-winning portrayal of Nicolette Grant on the HBO series Big Love, as well as appearances in Portlandia American Horror Story and Netflix series Bloodline.
Nathan Lane plays Dominick Dunne
Dominick Dunne is a well-known journalist who covers high-profile criminal cases and helps shape public perception of the brothers' story.
The American actor is a prolific stage and screen actor, with his best-known roles being in The Lion King, The Birdcage, Mouse Hunt, The Producers, and Beau is Afraid. You may also know Lane from his appearances in comedy series Only Murders in the Building, Frasier, Mad About You, Modern Family, and The Good Wife.
Ari Graynor plays Leslie Abramson
Leslie Abramson is Erik's lead defense attorney who is known for her tenacious and aggressive courtroom style and for arguing the brothers' abuse claims.
Ari Graynor has appeared in various TV shows including I'm Dying Up Here, The Sopranos and Fringe, as well as Bad Teacher and American Dad. You may also recognise her from films such as Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and The Disaster Artist
Dallas Roberts plays Dr. Jerome Oziel
Dr. Jerome Oziel is Erik's psychologist who he confesses the murders to. Dallas Roberts is best known for his roles as Milton Mamet in the third season of The Walking Dead, Eliot Delson in Unforgettable, and Owen Cavanaugh in The Good Wife.
Leslie Grossman plays Judalon Smyth
Judalon Smyth plays a key role in Lyle and Erik’s arrests and is a key feature in the story. Film and TV actress Leslie Grossman has appeared in various roles in American Horror Story, Fuller House, The Good Place, Dexter, Modern Family and 2 Broke Girls.
Who else appears in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story?
Here is the rest of the cast of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story:
- Jason Butler Harner as Det. Les Zoeller
- Enrique Murciano as Carlos Baralt
- Michael Gladis as Tim Rutten
- Drew Powell as Det. Tom Linehan
- Charlie Hall as Craig Cignarelli
- Jeff Perry as Peter Hoffman
- Tessa Auberjonois as Dr. Laurel Oziel
- Tanner Stine as Perry Berman
- Larry Clarke as Brian Andersen
- Jade Pettyjohn as Jamie Pisarcik
- Marlene Forte as Marta Cano
- Gil Ozeri as Dr. William Vicary
