Disturbing true story behind Netflix's latest Monsters series as shocking crime case has viewers gripped

Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse which some readers may find distressing.

It may have only landed on Netflix a matter of hours ago, but the latest addition to the streaming service's already-popular Monsters series has already sparked mass reaction across the globe.

The new instalment - called Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story - follows on from horror director Ryan Murphy's 2022 hit, which starred Evan Peters and followed the serial killings of Jeffrey Dahmer, who murdered and dismembered 17 people in the 1980s.

Now, the likes of No Country for Old Men actor Javier Bardem and American Horror Story favourite Chloë Sevigny have taken to the spotlight to play José and Mary Louise 'Kitty' Menendez, who were murdered by their two sons in 1989.

The couple were shot at their home a total of 16 times with a gauge shot gun.

The 'real' Lyle and Erik Menendez pictured in court in 1994 (Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty Images)

When police arrived on the scene after reports on the sound of gun-fire were filed, however, brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez - played in the new Netflix series by acting newcomers Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch - claimed to have returned home to find their parents in this state, having been at the movies.

With no suspect to apprehend, the brothers believed they were clear of the crime, and began spending their inheritance extravagantly on plush and luxurious items, including trips overseas and investments into successful businesses.

Collectively, they spent approximately $700,000 before investigating officers began to form suspicions surrounding their behaviour.

And after Erik's psychologist - the only individual he's revealed his crimes to - told his parter, who in turn told police, the duo were arrested.

The events that followed became one of the most highly-publicised crimes of the 20th century.

Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny play Jose and Kitty Menendez in the Netflix hit (Netflix)

Their harrowing case became a national sensation when Court TV opted to broadcast their entire trial.

Erik described his father, José, as a perfectionist and a paedophile.

The brothers also claimed their mother 'Kitty' was an alcoholic and drug addict who enabled her husband's alleged abuse, despite Erik and Lyle having reported his perversions to her on several occasions.

The duo claimed they'd killed their mother and father out of fear after José allegedly threatened to murder them for breaking their silence on the abuse they faced.

However, the prosecution were unyielding in their claims that they'd murdered their parents for financial gain.

Lyle and Erik Menendez were found guilty in a second trial - after the first resulted in a deadlock - and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Netflix series has left viewers gripped (Netflix)

As we say, the controversial nature of crime - as well as the stomach-wrenching court case details - have left followers of the story both sickened and mesmerised ever since.

Taking to social media since Netflix's latest Monsters instalment landed on Thursday (19 September), one penned: "Started watching the new Netflix Ryan Murphy drama Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and already what I though I knew about their story is not nearly enough. Gripping stuff."

Another wrote: "I literally binged watched the entire Lyle and Erik Menendez Netflix thing and I’m just full of emotions right now. To the point I can’t even sleep."

Someone else added: "The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story on Netflix 'monsters' 10/10 & I'm only on the first episode."

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is available to stream on Netflix now.