In the Netflix documentary film The Menendez Brothers, we learn of the horrifying tragedy of the murder of José and Kitty Menendez in their posh home in Beverly Hills from the mouths of brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez, who are serving life sentences without parole for the crime. The true-crime documentary film has a runtime of 118 minutes.
The Menendez Brothers Documentary Director
Alejandro Hartmann
The Menendez Brothers Review
The 1989 murders of José and Kitty Menendez have been the subject of a ton of discussion over the last few months, thanks mostly to Ryan Murphy’s 8-part true-crime series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. That series, although fictional, created a buzz among viewers who couldn’t help but wonder whether or not the victims’ two sons, Erik and Lyle, truly carried out something so horrifying, while also speculating on the shocking sexual abuse allegations. The documentary film features audio interviews with the brothers from prison for the first time as they give input about the crime along with their thoughts on the matter.
Surprisingly, the true crime documentary hardly presents anything that might make you do a double take. Everything presented in the series is a surprising regurgitation of the fictional series from a few weeks ago and will make you question the point of everything. We surprisingly don’t really learn anything with regards to the brothers’ crimes and the incriminating evidence that landed them the prison sentence but are presented with a lot of things that paint a favourable light on the brothers.
The defence’s entire case hinged on them presenting the abuse allegation and we surprisingly don’t really get into why no one knew about something so big before the trials started. Considering how well-known the Menendezs’ were, one can imagine how scrutinised they all were. However, the documentary doesn’t try to probe any of that. There are a few dissenting voices in the documentary who try to put a different point of view forward, but that’s surprisingly also brushed aside.
That being said, it’s definitely nice to watch the real-life videos of the trial and the phone interview of the brothers. It adds realism to the stale that gives you goosebumps. Considering how hazy everything is surrounding the case, these moments can leave viewers thoroughly surprised. The testimonies surrounding the abuse allegations are haunting to hear, regardless of whether or not viewers believe it.
The most interesting part, however, was the discussion surrounding public perception of the brothers back then and now. With two good looking, “sweater wearing”, being accused of murdering their parents for abusing them men comes the attention of many and the documentary brings those to the front. We watch people for and against them – some discuss how they will “fry” while others wholeheartedly take their side. Some family members and those close to the family also give their two cents but again, I found it lacklustre and sort of one sided.
Final Thoughts
The Menendez Brothers is a documentary that doesn’t really add anything to the murky narrative surrounding the Menendez murders of 1989. Sure, there are archival footage and telephonic interviews and whatnot, but when it comes to the core of the story, it features very little of interest. Erik Menendez and Lyle Menendez continue to leave us slack-jawed, if for nothing else than the incredible abuse allegations that can give anyone nightmares.
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