Current:Home > BackMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story Stars React to Erik Menendez’s Criticism-InfoLens
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story Stars React to Erik Menendez’s Criticism
View Date:2024-12-23 15:51:10
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’s cast is speaking out about the controversial Netflix series.
Following Erik Menendez’s criticism of the Ryan Murphy drama—which chronicles Erik and brother Lyle Menendez’s conviction for the 1989 murders of their parents, José Menendez and Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez—the show’s stars weighed in, including Cooper Koch, who portrayed Erik in the project. And as the actor noted, Erik’s negative reaction “definitely affected me and it made me feel things.”
“I sympathize with him, I empathize with him,” Cooper continued in an interview with Variety published Sept. 25. “I get it. I understand how difficult it would be to have the worst part of your life be televised for millions of people to see. It’s so exposing. I understand how he feels and I stand by him.”
When it comes down to it, the 28-year-old hoped to create a nuanced portrayal of the younger Menendez brother.
“I just really wanted to do as much research and dig really deep into myself to really portray him with integrity,” he added, “and just be as authentic as possible to support him and also to support his family and all the people who stand with him.”
However, Nathan Lane—who played journalist Dominick Dunne—felt Menendez’s negative assessment rang hollow considering he hadn’t watched the series.
“He’s just criticizing it and condemning it without ever having seen it, so one has to take that with a grain of salt,” the Emmy winner said. “Obviously, to have your life portrayed this way in a Netflix miniseries … he wasn’t one of the producers, so not everything might be flattering or make you happy. But I would say you should probably see it before you speak out again.”
But Javier Bardem—who portrayed José Menendez—empathized with the reaction from Erik, who along with his brother was found guilty of the murders in 1996 and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
“It’s absolutely normal, logical and legitimate to say what you think about your own life being on a show,” the Oscar winner explained, noting he hadn’t read Erik Menendez’s full statement. “I support that. Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan give different perspectives, different views of the same issue because nothing is set in stone. That also includes the way to perform the character.”
The statements come after Ryan weighed in on Erik’s criticism, noting he hopes the now-53-year-old, who called the limited series a “dishonest portrayal of the tragedies” in a statement, will get to screen the show.
“I think the show is very interesting—what we're trying to do is show many, many, many, many perspectives,” he told E! News Sept. 23. “In every episode, you are given a new theory based on people who were either involved or covered the case.”
The brothers, who accused their parents of physical and sexual abuse in the years leading up to the killings, will tell their side of what happened in the upcoming documentary The Menendez Brothers, streaming Oct. 7 on Netflix.
“Everyone asks why we killed our parents,” Lyle said via telephone from prison in the Sept. 23 trailer for the doc. “Maybe now people can understand the truth.”
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (89122)
Related
- Controversial comedian Shane Gillis announces his 'biggest tour yet'
- Yes, heat can affect your brain and mood. Here's why
- 8 dogs died from extreme heat in the Midwest during unairconditioned drive
- Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens dies from cancer at 70
- World leaders aim to shape Earth's future at COP29 climate change summit
- Islanders, Here’s Where to Shop Everything in the Love Island USA Villa Right Now
- Here's Your First Look at Vanderpump Rules Star Tom Sandoval's New Reality TV Gig
- Fans pay tribute to Coco Lee, Hong Kong singer who had international success
- 'Unfortunate error': 'Wicked' dolls with porn site on packaging pulled from Target, Amazon
- NASA reports unplanned 'communications pause' with historic Voyager 2 probe carrying 'golden record'
Ranking
- Pie, meet donuts: Krispy Kreme releases Thanksgiving pie flavor ahead of holidays
- Police search for driver who intentionally hit 6 migrant workers; injuries aren’t life-threatening
- Islanders, Here’s Where to Shop Everything in the Love Island USA Villa Right Now
- How to protect your car from extreme heat: 10 steps to protect your ride from the sun
- One person is dead after a shooting at Tuskegee University
- $1.05 billion Mega Million jackpot is among a surge in huge payouts due to more than just luck
- 6-year-old girl dead after being struck by family's boat at lake
- Judge denies Trump's bid to quash probe into efforts to overturn Georgia 2020 results
Recommendation
-
Advocacy group sues Tennessee over racial requirements for medical boards
-
New film honors angel who saved over 200 lives during Russian occupation of Bucha
-
'Like a broken record': Aaron Judge can't cure what ails Yankees as trade deadline looms
-
Michigan court affirms critical benefits for thousands badly hurt in car wrecks
-
NCT DREAM enters the 'DREAMSCAPE': Members on new album, its concept and songwriting
-
6 hit in possible intentional vehicular assault, police say
-
Teresa Giudice Calls Sofia Vergara Rudest Woman She's Ever Met
-
Yellow is shutting down and headed for bankruptcy, the Teamsters Union says. Here’s what to know