The next “monsters” are almost at our doorstep—or are they monsters at all? Shortly after announcing its release date and dropping a very vague teaser, Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s next Monsters series has debuted its first full-length trailer. The season, titled Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story, follows the “case of the real-life brothers who were convicted in 1996 for the murders of their parents, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez.”

A synopsis of the season continues: “While the prosecution argued they were seeking to inherit their family fortune, the brothers claimed – and remain adamant to this day, as they serve life sentences without the possibility of parole – that their actions stemmed out of fear from a lifetime of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at the hands of their parents. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story dives into the historic case that took the world by storm, paved the way for audiences’ modern-day fascination with true crime, and in return asks those audiences: Who are the real monsters?”

The new trailer doesn’t answer that, or really any other questions. We do get our first look at the Menendez family, played by Javier Bardem (José Menendez), Chloë Sevigny (Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez), Nicholas Alexander Chavez (Lyle Menendez), and Cooper Koch (Erik Menendez). We also get a short voiceover from Bardem saying he’s going to “fix this family,” which he obviously isn’t actually going to do. The clip is filmed in Murphy’s typical sleek style, so at least we have a vague sense of what the show is going to look like. The series also stars Nathan Lane as writer Dominick Dunne and Ari Graynor as attorney Leslie Abramson.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story follows Dahmer—Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, which, for better or more likely, for worse, was watched for hundreds of millions of hours on Netflix. Other forthcoming Murphy-verse series include Grotesquerie, starring Travis Kelce and friends, All’s Fair, a legal drama starring Kim Kardashian, and the first season of American Sports Story, which follows “the rise and fall of NFL superstar Aaron Hernandez.”

A Family Portrait

The first trailer for the Netflix series shows a seemingly innocent family portrait session. However, this seemingly idyllic scene is quickly disrupted by the voiceover of Sevigny’s Kitty who asks José, “I need to know what’s going on with you and the boys.” She then insists she doesn’t want there to be “anymore lies between us,” and promises, “I won’t tell anyone,” hinting at a dark secret between the two. The trailer ends with the brothers embracing shirtless in the dark. “It’s just us now,” one of the brothers tells the other, before a gunshot rings out. This chilling scene sets the stage for the series, hinting at the dark and disturbing events to come.

Exploring the Menendez Case

The Brothers’ Claims

The Menendez brothers were convicted of murdering their parents in 1996, and sentenced to life in prison without parole. The prosecution argued that Erik and Lyle murdered Kitty and José for money, but the brothers have maintained their claims that their parents were physically, sexually and emotionally abusive. The series will explore this aspect of the case, examining the brothers’ claims and the evidence presented in court.

A True-Crime Phenomenon

The Menendez brothers’ trial captivated the nation, becoming a media sensation in the early 1990s. The case helped to fuel the modern-day fascination with true crime, and Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story dives into the historic case that took the world by storm. The series promises to explore the case from all angles, examining the evidence, the players involved, and the media frenzy that surrounded the trial.

The Real Monsters?

The series will ask the question: who are the real monsters? Is it the brothers who killed their parents? Or is it the parents who allegedly abused them? The trailer doesn’t answer this question, but it does suggest that the series will explore the complexities of the case and the gray areas that exist. The series aims to offer a nuanced look at the Menendez case, challenging viewers to question their own assumptions and examine the realities of abuse and its impact on individuals and families.

Looking Beyond the Headlines

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story will not simply rehash the well-known facts of the case. Instead, it will go beyond the headlines and explore the nuances of the case, examining the lives of the Menendez family and the impact of the murders on them and on society as a whole. The series will also explore the role of the media in the case, and how the media coverage shaped public perception of the Menendez brothers and their case.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story premieres September 19 on Netflix.

A New Look at a Famous Case

The Menendez case has been the subject of numerous documentaries, books, and television shows. However, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story promises to offer a fresh perspective on the case, using a talented cast and a compelling narrative to draw viewers in. The series will not shy away from the darkness of the case, but it will also explore the complex emotions and motivations of the individuals involved, ultimately asking viewers to decide for themselves who the real monsters are.