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Exploring the Complexities of “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”
Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez take on the challenging roles of Lyle and Erik Menendez in the much-discussed series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.”
The actors recently shared insights during an interview with “Extra,” discussing not only their performances but also Cooper’s encounter with the real Menendez brothers in prison, along with Erik’s critique of the series, labeling it as a “dishonest portrayal.”
The Menendez brothers gained notoriety in the mid-90s after being convicted for the 1989 killings of their parents, which led to life sentences without the possibility of parole.
Cooper, who portrays Erik, revealed that he joined Kim Kardashian on a visit to meet Lyle and Erik. He stated, “Kim and Scott Budnick are very active in prison reform initiatives. After Kim watched the series, she expressed her admiration for it and has empathy for the brothers. They had planned a trip to discuss a Green Space Project led by Erik and Lyle, and she invited me to accompany them.”
During the visit, the group spent time in a gymnasium with about thirty incarcerated individuals who shared their personal stories, which Cooper described as “very emotional and inspiring.” He emphasized the importance of portraying Lyle and Erik authentically in the series.
Reflecting on the impact of his meeting with the brothers, Cooper remarked, “These conversations reinforced my beliefs about them. They are genuinely kind and have done remarkable work while in prison. They recently graduated from UC Irvine and are dedicated to the Green Space Project. Erik also teaches mediation and speech classes, illustrating their commitment to personal growth and helping others.”
Erik has publicly denounced the series, calling it riddled with “horrible and blatant lies.” In response, Cooper expressed his support for Erik’s feelings, commenting, “I can understand how challenging it would be for someone to see such a traumatic period of their life displayed for public consumption. I empathize with him and support his perspective.”
Cooper and Nicholas approached their roles with a nuanced view, aiming to present Lyle and Erik from various angles. Nicholas explained, “Our task was to capture these characters from multiple perspectives. I drew upon a wide range of materials, from scripts to trial footage, to develop an interpretation that reflects this complexity.”
One of the show’s most provocative moments involves a kiss between the brothers, hinting at an incestuous relationship. Cooper addressed this, asserting, “This perspective seems to stem from the Dominick Dunne theory, which I personally doubt. It solely represents his viewpoint.”
He further noted, “In Episode 7, there’s an insightful scene where this theory is discussed, leading to a poignant moment that emphasizes the subjective nature of his narrative. We aim to present a broad array of viewpoints so audiences can deliberate their own opinions, similar to a jury.”
Nicholas acknowledged the pressure that comes with portraying real individuals, especially those still living. He stated, “It’s a balancing act of respecting the individual while navigating the creative demands imposed by writers, directors, and oneself.”
Cooper and Nicholas also reflected on their scenes alongside acclaimed actors like Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny, who portray José and Kitty Menendez. Cooper praised Javier’s performance, highlighting his ability to encompass both charm and menace. He observed, “Javier excels at embodying a character that’s simultaneously captivating and terrifying, which is a hallmark of narcissistic personalities.”
Nicholas remarked on the juxtaposition of intense love and violence in their scenes with Javier, noting, “It’s a stark contrast that left a significant impression on me as an actor.”
“Monsters” is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
Source
extratv.com