The Menendez Brothers (2024) Movie Review – Where to Watch Online
True crime stories have long captivated audiences, but few have the lasting impact of the Menendez brothers’ case. In The Menendez Brothers (2024), directed by Alejandro Hartmann, the documentary reframes the tragic and controversial murder case that shocked America. Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted of killing their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989. The film dives deep into their lives, shedding light on their traumatic childhood, courtroom battles, and the modern #MeToo movement’s potential influence on their case.
If you’re wondering where to watch The Menendez Brothers or want to know more about the case, keep reading for a detailed review of the film, its key takeaways, and where to stream it online.
Plot Overview: Revisiting the Crime
In August 1989, the lives of Jose and Kitty Menendez came to a gruesome end when their two sons, Lyle and Erik, shot them at close range in their living room. The crime seemed unimaginable—how could two young men from an affluent family in Beverly Hills carry out such an act? Yet, during their trial, they claimed years of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse at the hands of their father, with their mother allegedly turning a blind eye.
After two trials, the first in 1994 ended in a mistrial with deadlocked juries, and the second in 1996 resulting in first-degree murder convictions. The brothers have been incarcerated ever since, but the documentary explores whether their conviction should be reconsidered in light of societal shifts in how we understand abuse victims.
Key Takeaways from The Menendez Brothers Documentary
1. New Perspectives on Old Stories
Directed by Alejandro Hartmann, The Menendez Brothers offers exclusive interviews with both Lyle and Erik, marking the first time in 30 years that they’ve spoken together about their case. This new documentary is timely, especially as society grapples with how to treat victims of abuse in the era of the #MeToo movement. The Menendez brothers’ claim of self-defense, based on their father’s history of abuse, is central to this documentary, with arguments that their original trial didn’t fully take their trauma into account.
2. Media Frenzy and Social Media Resurgence
The film draws significant attention to the media circus surrounding the Menendez case in the ’90s. With cameras in the courtroom, the public was glued to every twist and turn of the brothers’ trials. Now, decades later, social media platforms like TikTok have reignited interest in their story, bringing a new generation of true crime fans into the debate.
3. Reevaluating Justice in Light of #MeToo
As more survivors of abuse come forward in the #MeToo era, the Menendez brothers’ defense that they acted out of an “imperfect self-defense” is gaining more traction. Their claim that their father sexually abused them, and that they feared for their lives, has found a new audience more empathetic to abuse survivors. The documentary doesn’t shy away from the moral complexity of their case, leaving viewers to decide whether justice was truly served.
4. The Role of Ryan Murphy’s Monsters Series
Interestingly, this documentary was released just weeks after Netflix debuted Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, a dramatization of the case created by Ryan Murphy. The synergy between the dramatized series and the documentary highlights the enduring public fascination with the case and sparks deeper conversations about the portrayal of true crime in media. While Monsters adds a layer of fiction, Hartmann’s documentary sticks to cold hard facts, offering a more analytical approach to the same story.
Where to Watch The Menendez Brothers Online
If you’re eager to watch The Menendez Brothers (2024), here’s where you can stream or rent it online:
Streaming Platforms
- Netflix: As a Netflix original documentary, The Menendez Brothers is available for streaming exclusively on Netflix. Subscribers can access it with a basic, standard, or premium subscription plan.
- Hulu (with Netflix add-on): If you’re a Hulu subscriber with the Netflix add-on, you can watch the documentary as part of your Hulu package.
Rental and Purchase Options
- Amazon Prime Video: For those without a Netflix subscription, the documentary can be rented or purchased on Amazon Prime Video. Rental prices typically range from $3.99 to $5.99, while purchasing a digital copy will cost between $12.99 and $19.99.
- Apple TV: You can rent or buy The Menendez Brothers via Apple TV, with similar pricing to Amazon Prime. Apple users may prefer this option for its seamless integration with other Apple services.
Conclusion: A Must-Watch for True Crime Enthusiasts
The Menendez Brothers (2024) is an eye-opening documentary that reframes a notorious case through the lens of modern understanding of abuse. Alejandro Hartmann’s film provides a comprehensive look at both the original trials and the new perspectives brought to light by social movements like #MeToo. Whether you’re a fan of true crime or someone looking to understand how media influences public perception of justice, this documentary is a must-watch.
You can catch The Menendez Brothers on Netflix or rent it through various platforms like Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Google Play. Don’t miss this riveting exploration of one of America’s most talked-about criminal cases.
