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Netflix documentary ‘The Menendez Brothers’ release date, how to watch it

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With the release of the second part of Ryan Murphy’s ‘Monsters’ series, ‘The Eric and Lyle Menendez Story’, the Menendez brothers have been thrust back into the spotlight.

Next up: a Netflix documentary that promises interviews with the siblings, “in their own words.”

The two brothers were convicted in 1989 of murdering their parents José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez in their Mediterranean-style mansion in Beverly Hills, and were sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1996. While prosecutors alleged that Lyle, then 21, and Erik, then Erik and Lyle alleged that their father abused them physically, sexually and emotionally. Erik fought back while testifying about his father’s abuse, which he said began when he was six and lasted until the time of the murders.

Murphy’s series, which presents a dramatized version of the events that unfolded, attracted much controversy and criticism, including from Erik Menendez, who in a statement issued through his wife Tammie Menendez denounced the show for its “terrible and blatant lies” and “vicious and disgusting character portrayals of Lyle and me.”

Meanwhile, Cooper Koch, the actor who plays Erik in the series, met his real-life acting persona last week during a personal prison visit led by Kim Kardashian, Koch told The Hollywood Reporter. Although Erik had not yet seen the new Netflix series, he praised Koch for his work, the actor tells THR. Meanwhile, Kardashian, who has emerged as a leading voice in criminal justice reform, is fighting for the two brothers’ release.

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced during a news conference Thursday that his office would review new evidence in the brothers’ case, including a letter sent by one of the brothers to a family member claiming that he was the victim was of sexual assault.

Prosecutors: Evidence of alleged sexual abuse must be reviewed in the Menendez brothers’ case

A group of relatives of the Menendez brothers also criticized the show as a “phobic, gross, anachronistic, serial episodic nightmare that is not only full of falsehoods and outright falsehoods, but also ignores the most recent exculpatory revelations.”

Murphy, meanwhile, defended the show in interviews with Entertainment Tonight and The Hollywood Reporter, saying his intention was to include multiple perspectives on what happened. He went on to say that the Menendez brothers should send him flowers because of all the attention they have received because of the show.

Brothers will revisit the trial in a new Netflix documentary

Less than a month after the nine-episode series dominated the Netflix Top 10 queue, a new documentary features the brothers’ recorded phone calls with director Alejandro Hartmann from San Diego’s Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, where the pair is serving life sentences, will be released on the streaming platform.

“For the first time in thirty years, both brothers say they look back on the trial that shocked the nation,” Netflix says of the upcoming film. “Through extensive audio interviews with Lyle and Erik, lawyers involved in the trial, journalists who covered it, jurors, family and other informed observers, acclaimed Argentine director Alejandro Hartmann offers new insight and a fresh perspective on a case that people only think they know.”

Here’s everything you need to know about the new documentary spotlighting Erik and Lyle Menendez.

Did Lyle Menendez wear a hairpiece? Why it appeared in the pivotal scene of Netflix’s new ‘Monsters’ series

When will the documentary ‘The Menendez Brothers’ be released?

“The Menendez Brothers” releases Monday, October 7 at 3:00 a.m. ET.

How can I watch the documentary ‘The Menendez Brothers’?

The documentary ‘The Menendez Brothers’ will be available to stream on Netflix.

Who is in the documentary ‘The Menendez Brothers’?

The film, directed by Hartmann, will feature interviews with both Erik and Lyle Menendez, as well as new interviews with their cousin Diane Vander Molen and accuser Pamela Bozanich, according to Netflix.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Trailer for ‘The Menendez Brothers’

Netflix shared a sneak peek of the documentary on Thursday.

Contributors: Jay Stahl, Brendan Morrow, Erin Jensen, USA TODAY

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

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