There’s a near-annual tradition among TV viewers: Whenever a new Ryan Murphy show makes its way to streaming services, controversy surrounds its release. This time, the backlash is in response to the Netflix series Monsters: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menéndezwhich debuted on the streaming service on September 19. The show takes a look at one of the most notorious murder cases of the 1990s and follows in the footsteps of Murphy’s other true-crime shows, such as Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Storyas well as several entries from his anthology series American crime storyincluded The People vs. OJ SimpsonAnd The Murder of Gianni Versace.

Since its streaming premiere, the show has received a lot of criticism for its portrayal of the title brothers, particularly speculation about a possible romantic, incestuous relationship between them. Here, we analyze who exactly the Menéndez Brothers are, why people seem to be so angry with Murphy (again), and whether or not there’s an ounce of truth to what’s being depicted on screen.

Please note: This article discusses explicit forms of child sexual abuse.

Who are the Menéndez Brothers?

Erik and Lyle Menéndez, often referred to simply as the “Menéndez Brothers”, are siblings who were convicted in 1996 for the 1989 murder of their parents, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menéndez. José Menéndez was a record executive who worked with bands such as Duran Duran, the Eurythmics and Menudo, and the boys were raised in a lavish Beverly Hills environment.

On the night of August 20, 1989, Lyle called 911 to report that his parents had been murdered. Both brothers claimed to have been at a movie theater and suggested that the Mafia was involved in the crimes; however, Erik later confessed to the murders to his therapist, L. Jerome Oziel, who had been recording their therapy sessions. Oziel’s mistress turned the tapes over to police, and in March 1990 the brothers were arrested and charged with their parents’ murder.

During the trial, which aired on CourtTV and became a national media sensation, the brothers argued that they killed their parents out of fear for their lives after being sexually and physically abused by their father. Lyle also accused Kitty of sexual abuse, alleging that she washed his body everywhere and invited him into her bed, where she touched him.

What is Monsters: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menéndez?

The nine-episode second season of Ryan Murphy’s true crime anthology series Monsters — yes, the serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer featured in the first season — hit Netflix on September 19. The series jumps through time, showing the murder, trial, and aftermath from multiple perspectives and featuring an all-star cast. Oscar winner Javier Bardem and Oscar nominee Chloë Sevigny star as José and Kitty Menéndez.