Every single person in the cast and crew of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story has been asked how they feel about the real-life Menéndez brothers' reaction to the show.
Cooper Koch — the out gay actor who played Erik Menéndez in the hit Netflix series — has now chimed in on the suggestion that there was an "incestuous" relationship between the two siblings. Koch explained (via Variety):
"I knew that this was a very controversial story, and that people were going to be upset and affected by what they were seeing. I think, though, you do have to put it into context of the situation, and that we're sort of painting a picture based on what somebody else's perspective was. It's not necessarily the truth of what happened — that's just what Dominick Dunne thinks, and there I think are other places in the story where it's sort of planted to give people all of these different perspectives and you know."
Overall, though, Koch noted that he "absolutely does not" think that the Menéndez brothers had a sexual relationship between them, adding:
"I do not think that's true, and I don't think it was intended by the show to make or break that truth. I think that was just a theory that one person had… and that got put into the show because that person was a character in the show. I stand with Erik and everything that he says in his testimony. I believe to be his truth, and I believe him."
Koch has also expressed some sympathy for the real-life Erik Menéndez. As reported by Variety, Koch said:
"[Erik's reaction] definitely affected me, and it made me feel things. I sympathize with him, I empathize with him. I get it. I understand how difficult it would be to have the worst part of your life be televised for millions of people to see. It's so exposing. I understand how he feels, and I stand by him."
The actor continued, "In terms of approaching him and approaching the part, I just really wanted to do as much research and dig really deep into myself to really portray him with integrity, and just be as authentic as possible to support him, and also to support his family, and all the people who stand with him."
It's a common practice for actors, writers, and creatives in general to embody all of the feelings attached to characters whose stories they're telling, so it's not surprising to hear that Koch has empathy, and even sympathy, for a real-life person that he brought to life for this project.
Koch's costar — actor Nicholas Chavez, who played Lyle Menéndez — shared a similar feeling in recent interviews:
"It must be incredibly difficult to see some of the most painful moments of your life being portrayed on television."
On the other hand, creator and showrunner Ryan Murphy has taken a more nuanced approach. While he's understanding of the Menéndez brothers reactions, he also wishes that they had seen the show before commenting on it.
"I think it's interesting that he's issued a statement without having seen the show. I know he hasn't seen the show in prison. I hope he does see the show [and] sees the work that Cooper Koch did."
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is now streaming on Netflix.
