The Menendez Brothers’ Family Claims Ryan Murphy ‘Never Spoke to Us’ After His Defense of Monsters

Murphy himself appeared to dismiss Erik’s criticism during a red carpet interview with E! News on September 23.

“I know he hasn’t watched the show, so I find that curious,” Murphy said at the premiere of his newest show, Grotesquerie. “I know this for a fact. I hope he does watch it. I think if he did watch it, he would be incredibly proud of Cooper Koch, who plays him.”

He continued, “I think the show is very interesting—what we’re trying to do is show many, many, many, many perspectives. In every episode, you are given a new theory based on people who were either involved or covered the case.”

Members of Erik and Lyle’s family, however, say the Glee creator “never spoke to us” about the “unimaginably turbulent lives they have endured,” adding, “Several of us were eyewitnesses to many atrocities one should never have to bear witness to.”

Describing Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story as a “grotesque shockudrama,” the family added, “It is sad that Ryan Murphy, Netflix and all the others involved in this series do not have an understanding of the impact of years of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Perhaps, after all, ‘Monsters’ is all about Ryan Murphy.”

You can read the full statement here:

In his own interview with E! News (released prior to the family’s statement), Murphy claimed the series handled male sexual abuse “responsibly,” noting that “60 to 65% of the show centers around Erik and Lyle Menendez talking about their abuse, talking about their victimization, talking about what it emotionally put them through.”

He continued, “Those two boys on our show, get their moment in court, and then some.” As for the backlash, Murphy said, “I’m used to this. I write about provocative things and controversial things, and my motto is ‘never complain and never explain.’”