One of the most controversial cases in recent American criminal history is explored in The Menendez Brothers documentary on Netflix.
The documentary, which focuses on the brothers’ point of view, aims to highlight misleading content in the TV show Monsters as well as the story of their trial. Their first trial ended with a mistrial, but a second trial in 1995 led to them being convicted of first-degree murder in the deaths of their parents in Beverly Hills.
The documentary features more than 20 hours of in-depth interviews with Erik and Lyle Menendez. Their testimonies provide a look into their childhoods and the events leading up to the murder of their parents. It gives them a human face that stands in contrast to the exaggerated images of them in the recent television series Monsters.
Throughout the series, multiple others discuss the case, including Diane Vander Molen, the Menendez brothers’ cousin, Joan Vander Molen, the Menendez brothers’ aunt; Pamela Bozanich, the lead prosecutor at the first trial of the Menendez brothers’ case, and Robert Rand, the journalist who covered the trials for the Miami Herald.
The production does not downplay the complexity of the brothers’ actions, while it shows their difficult home life. It makes viewers rethink the quick decisions often made in popular cases by bringing up important issues regarding abuse, mental health, and the lasting effects of trauma.
The documentary does have some drawbacks, though. Its emphasis on the brothers’ defense may seem to some to downplay this situation. It is an important contribution to the current discussion surrounding the Menendez case, especially with new evidence that has sparked a conversation about whether or not the brothers will receive a chance at parole.
The Menendez Brothers documentary is interesting in its careful approach to telling the brothers’ side of the story of the abuse that led up to the murders. Anyone interested in true crime and the seemingly perfect Hollywood life should watch it.
