The Menendez Brothers (2024) Dir: Alejandro Hartmann

Alongside the divisive dramatised limited series from Ryan Murphy, Netflix released this feature length true crime documentary, directed by Alejandro Hartmann. I chose to watch the limited series first, and then move onto this film afterwards. I didn't know for surewhat this documentary would feature, but I knew the stance I expected the film to take, considering the change in perspectives in regard to the two men in recent years.

The film takes a fairly sympathetic, but not totally partisan, tone towards current life-term inmates; Erik and Lyle Menendez. As alluded to above, there has been a groundswell of support for a re-sentencing, at the very least, for the two brothers. Most of this support comes from a younger generation, one known for their greater empathy and willingness to discuss abuse and taboo subjects.

The film features original and archival footage, as one would expect, but the real gem, which makes this documentary incredibly unique, compared to others on the topic, is that it features interviews from both Erik and Lyle - a first. I felt that both incarcerated men provided some incredibly interesting insights.

For example, within ten minutes, the brothers pointed out some very valid points about how shocking it was that they were not arrested the night of their crimes. However, it is very much worth remembering that, whether you believe them or not, they are not necessarily reliable witnesses.

Parricide is as serious an offence as any other lethal crime, which the film does at least emphasise, even if it does spend a lot time towing a very fine line between explaining and justifying the reasonings for the murders of José and Kitty Menendez. I do think that the case does bring this moral grey area to the fore in a big way, in fairness.

Overall, this was a fairly good, though inevitably flawed, documentary feature film. It details a lot of the events of the brother's case, but still misses some key factors and information, such as the alleged abuse suffered by the parents themselves. However, I totally understand why the documentary took the stance it did, and, in that context, it served its purpose very well.