Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Episodes 1 – 3

NZ release: 20 September 2024

Domestic violence, graphic violence, sex scenes, sexual violence Rated on: 20 September 2024

Monsters

What’s it about?

This series explores the sensational case of Lyle and Erik Menendez who were convicted of killing their parents in 1989.

The facts

  • Created by Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story) and Ian Brennan (Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story)
  • English language
  • Based on true events
  • Runtime: 9 episodes, ~60 minutes
  • Stars Javier Bardem, Chloë Sevigny,

Why did it get this rating?

This series was self-rated by Netflix. You can find out more about self-rating by streaming providers here.

Family violence

There are scenes where a man and woman are yelling, throwing items and pulling at the clothes of their children.

A woman violently pulls a hairpiece off the head of a man, he is not physically injured, and it is clear this is to humiliate him.

Graphic violence

A man and woman are shot repeatedly with shotguns, the wounds are bloody and visceral with the following being the most impactful:

  • Part of a hand and finger is shot off
  • A man is shot in the head with the wound shown closeup

The aftermath of the shooting is shown in multiple scenes with close-up shots of the gunshot wounds for both the man and the woman.

Nudity

Frontal male nudity is shown for short amounts of time.

Sexual violence

A man talks about experiencing sexual abuse by a family member as a child, there is reference to cum.

Suicide themes

A man talks about feeling suicidal and there are scenes of him holding a shotgun under his chin.

There are brief scenes of a man snorting cocaine.

Offensive language

There is frequent use of offensive language including words such as “f*ck”, “f*ggot”, “motherf*cker”, “sh*t” and “goddamn”.

Helplines:

The scenes of domestic violence and discussions of abuse could be upsetting for some viewers. If you are struggling with what you have seen on-screen please reach out for help. If you or someone you know needs to talk:

Further information

Recent featured decisions

28 July 2025

Horror, violence, sex scenes, and offensive language

After moving to the countryside, a supernatural encounter starts to transform a couple's love, their lives, and their flesh.

Read more

25 July 2025

Violence & coarse language

Whilst navigating their roles as superheroes and their newfound family bond, the Fantastic Four must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer.

Read more