Following the buzz of “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” director Ryan Murphy has released a new edition to the “Monster” series. His riveting and fiery version of another popular serial killer, or killers—story of the Menendez brothers—depicts the crime they committed, the murder of their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez. Not only is this version realistic and filled with a great cast, but it is also extremely intense.

This series consists of nine emotionally triggering and eye-opening episodes starring actors Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez, who took the roles of the brothers. From beginning to end, Koch and Chavez dig deep into their roles as Erik and Lyle Menendez respectively, striking audiences by surprise.

The first episode opens in October 1989, two months after the brothers murdered their parents. Lyle and Erik’s portrayals in this unbelievable series seem to be rather different from one another, and the audience is shown that in the first episode. Lyle is calm, cool and collected; meanwhile, Erik is emotional and unstable about the murder.

After the first episode, viewers see the terrors of not only the murder of Jose and Kitty Menendez, but also the events endured by their sons. Despite the Menendez brothers’ case being one of the most popular in history, many people are unaware of how extreme their circumstances were, leading them to conspire a murder plan for their parents.

This has caused backlash toward the show and Murphy. “Despite the success of Monsters season 2 on Netflix, the series has garnered scrutiny for portraying a false incestuous relationship between Erik and Lyle,” according to Screen Rant.

Despite the negative reviews, the show still marks the top ten most watched shows for the past three weeks on Netflix just two days after its release.

The following episodes switch back and forth between the past and present, featuring flashbacks of the Menendez brothers in constant arguments with their parents. Their parents’ substance abuse and alcoholism lead to their father’s extreme anger and rage toward them. The brothers felt a constant need to please their father, who had a preference towards the eldest brother Lyle. Lyle was angrier, like his father, which is why his father continued to favor him over his brother.

This entire series touches on extremely sensitive topics such as murder, sexual assault and violence, but is truly a great watch for viewers who can consume the content safely. It may not be as accurate to the actual trial, but the actors executed their roles exquisitely with the use of real quotes and actions said and done by the Menendez brothers and their parents.

It displays the gruesome crimes, but also the terrors that the brothers endured that led them to feel the need to murder their parents.

In the series’ nine episodes, viewers are shown the scenes of the trial, their father’s rage, their mother’s carelessness and self-absorbance in her own ‘depressing life’ and the brothers’ bond.

Society at large has the power to help those who suffer from trauma and mental illness, but often fails to. The Menendez brothers’ traumatic childhood does not excuse murder, but their parents’ irresponsibility and crimes should not go unnoticed.