Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story Cast, Plot, Teaser Trailer And More Details
"Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" — the Netflix biographical drama so terrified of viewers misunderstanding the concept that it shoved a serial killer's name into the title twice — is getting a second season. In fact, Netflix simultaneously renewed the show for a second and third season, which makes sense as "Dahmer" is now the streamer's third most-watched English-language series, beaten only by "Wednesday" and "Stranger Things" Season 4.
Moving forward, the series will exist under the newer, more concise name of "Monster," as the production is set to become an anthology. The streaming juggernaut has promised that "other monstrous figures who have impacted society" will be getting the focus of the upcoming seasons. So which notorious killer will headline Season 2?
Well, we'll be getting two murderers for the price of one, as the new installment will be titled "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story." For parents who remember the Menendez brothers, that's sure to send a shiver down your spine. For those who might be too young, read on to learn more about the homicidal siblings, as well as everything else you need to know about "Monster" Season 2.
When will Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story be released?
In May 2023, Netflix dropped a teaser trailer for "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story" (you can check that out further down). Near the end of the video, we're treated to a super broad release window: 2024. So sometime next year, we'll get to see the true story surrounding these titular monsters ... probably. We're unsure if the now-concluded WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes impacted Netflix's release schedule, although it's hard to imagine "Monsters" wasn't impacted. We'll be sure to keep you updated as we learn more information.
What is the plot of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story?
If you want to go into the series completely cold, then beware spoilers for the real-life story below.
While not as infamous as Jeffrey Dahmer, Lyle and Erik Menendez made major headlines during the 1990s. The sons of entertainment executive José Menendez and his wife, Kitty, the 21-year-old Lyle and the 18-year-old Erik turned their parents' Beverly Hills mansion into a murder scene in August 1989. After gunning José and Kitty down, the brothers fooled the police into thinking someone else had done the deed, and they spent the next several months spending their inheritance.
However, the bill always comes due. The Menendez brothers were eventually arrested and given separate trials in July 1993, with Court TV airing the proceedings to the entire world. The trials generated a media circus, and both were eventually declared mistrials. When the brothers eventually returned to court, they were tried together, and this time, they both found themselves getting consecutive life sentences.
Obviously, there's a lot more to the story than all that — including the brothers claiming they were victims of abuse at the hands of their parents and that they feared for their lives — but we don't want to spoil too much. If you want to learn more about this dysfunctional family drama, then start getting ready for the Netflix series.
Who is starring in Monster Season 2?
"Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" featured an impressive roster of talent, with names like Richard Jenkins, Niecy Nash, and Molly Ringwald. Of course, the star of the show was Evan Peters, donning those heavy-framed glasses to play the notorious titular serial killer. So who's stepping into his leading man shoes for "Monster" Season 2?
The parts of Lyle and Erik Menendez are going to Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch, respectively. So who exactly are these guys? Well, while Chavez doesn't have many credits to his name, he has played the part of Spencer Carradine in the soap opera "General Hospital" in over 200 episodes. As for Koch, he's appeared in titles such as the horror film "They/Them," the holiday flick "A New York Christmas Wedding," and the Starz series "Power Book II: Ghost."
Who is producing Monster Season 2?
"Monster" is the brain child of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, both of whom will continue to executive produce the series. Murphy's attachment explains why "Monster" has made the switch to an anthology series, as he also created and produced the ongoing anthology horror series "American Horror Story." It, uh, also explains the controversial heft to the first season's production, as Murphy tends to ruffle the feathers of anyone within a 10,000 mile radius.
"Dahmer" stirred up quite a bit of debate, with many claiming the first season exploited a series of real-life tragedies. Murphy also notably complained about how no one related to the victims of Jeffrey Dahmer returned his phone calls during the research phase for "Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story." Needless to say, that wasn't the best look for the celebrity creator, and chances are good that season 2 of "Monster" probably won't feature a ton of nuance or sensitivity.
Is there a trailer for Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story?
While the teaser trailer for "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story" doesn't feature any clips or stills from the actual show, it does feature a real-life 911 call. For about a minute, we hear Lyle Menendez crying on the phone, telling the dispatcher about how he and Erik have just found their parents brutally murdered. It's incredibly disturbing to hear the actual recording, and if you aren't sure if you want to listen to someone speaking just moments after committing an incredibly violent crime, then proceed with caution.
Where to watch Monster Season 1
As previously mentioned, "Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" is a Netflix original production. The studio owns the excusive streaming rights, so don't expect the project to ever migrate to Amazon Prime Video or HBO Max or cable TV. Why would Netflix share the rights to a cash cow? Again, as controversial as Ryan Murphy's creation is, real-life killers sell ... especially serial killers played by a notably shredded Evan Peters. The first season of "Monster" currently has been viewed 115,600,000 times, with over 1 billion hours watched. Of course, if you haven't seen the first season — or perhaps want to revisit the incredibly controversial show — you can add to that view count by heading on over to Netflix.