Following the worldwide success of Netflix's chilling 'Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story' last year, the streaming service is set to release a new Monster series - and so far, fans have given mixed reactions. The upcoming instalment will focus on infamous convicts Lyle and Erik Menendez.
'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story' will tell the harrowing story of the Menendez brothers, who were both convicted in 1996 of murdering their parents, José and Kitty, in 1989. During the trial, the siblings said that they committed the crimes out of fear that their father would kill them after they threatened to call him out for years of sexual, emotional and physical abuse.
The show's creators, Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan announced the next season is scheduled to land in 2024. On its official Twitter account, Netflix shared the first teaser trailer for the show, which has racked up thousands of views.
In the clip, viewers can hear a recording of the 911 call made by the two brothers as it plays out over a black background. “Someone killed my parents, [they’ve] been shot," a distressed voice tells the operator.
Reacting to the news of the forthcoming series, Teneshashashash tweeted: "This is going to be so good." OoStep_Oo added: "This is gonna be interesting. And probably terrifying." RavenSorvino put: "Ryan Murphy does it again. I know this will be epic. This story is crazy."
However, some were unimpressed with how long it'll be until the series premieres. VapidTrashBox said: "2024?! We aren't even halfway into 2023. But ok. Thanks for the heads up." Hankey01 asked: "2024?!?! Why announce it now!?"
Others have criticised Netflix for creating shows based on infamous crime stories. FallLikeRain7 exclaimed: "WTF do we keep having recycled stories of these two murderers every few years like they’re some damn hero’s. So disgusting Netflix."
Ambivalentpoet wrote: "The fascination with criminals and murderers in American culture is nauseating. Just learned that the Dahmer series was renewed for TWO more seasons. (Wretching noises.)"
Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan have previously defended the the creation of their Monster series. Responding to backlash over the way Jeffrey Dahmer's crimes had been 'glamorised' in the 2022 series, Murphy told the New York Times he made the show because the story "examines how easy it is to get away with things with the white privilege aspects".
He added that him and his team researched the story for a "very long time". He also claimed to have reached out to families of the victims, but had no response so had to rely heavily on our "incredible group of researchers".
'Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story' was a record-breaking success on Netflix, reaching one billion view hours in its first 60 days. The 10-episode series is only one of four series, including Stranger Things and Squid Game, to achieve such a milestone.
The series zeroed in on Jeffrey Dahmer, who was played by Evan Peters, and the 17 gruesome murders he committed between 1978 and 1991. The series also gave a voice to Dahmer’s next-door neighbour Glenda Cleveland (Niecy Nash-Betts), who tried to warn the authorities about his suspicious behaviour, but was repeatedly ignored.
At the time of the show's premiere, families of Jeffrey Dahmer’s victims spoke out, with many of them saying the series was re-traumatising. Milwaukee attorney, Thomas M Jacobson, who had represented several of the families, added: “The only meaningful Dahmer victim family action on Murphy’s part would be a monetary consideration from the Netflix profits for their exploitation and continuing trauma."
