If there’s one moment that sticks out in everyone’s mind in Monsters: Lyle and Eric Menendez’s story, it was midseason. After four episodes devoted to exploring the troubled lives of Lyle and Eric Menendez, the Netflix series takes a radical stylistic turn in episode five.
Titled “Wounded,” the 36-minute episode unfolds in a single shot sequence in which Eric (played by Cooper Koch) delivers an emotional and detailed account of the abuse he experienced as a child. This confession comes after she and her brother are arrested for the murders of their parents, Jose and Keith (played by Javier Bardem and Chloe Sevigny), during a conversation with their lawyer Leslie Abramson (Ari Graynor).
This episode marks a surprising shift in the series, breaking up the nine-episode season with a shorter, raw story that offers Eric a moment of light to expose the darkness at the heart of the story. He also lacks the support of his older brother Lyle (Nicolas Chavez). It’s a powerful moment in the series and a climax to the first half of this season, which takes the brothers’ side.
A moment of bravery
Without any cuts or edits, and with Abramson’s character only seen from behind, the episode rests entirely on Cooper Koch’s shoulders for these 36 minutes.
“We shot eight times – four times a day for two daysAri Graynor explained Diversity. “We had planned many rehearsals. Cooper and I practiced it a few times on our own, just to get it out loud, and then we did it in rehearsal. We had spent so much time preparing and loved it so much that we went into the room and did it once Michael UpendallOur incredible director said, “Let’s not rehearse, let’s shoot.”“. Koch recalls the rehearsals:
It was so beautiful. It turned out better than I imagined.
However, he didn’t have the same feeling during the first two shoots. “I went to Michael and said, “I need help. I need to know why I can’t unlock it or what I don’t understand?“, recalls Koch.
“And he said, “You’re chasing the dragon, you’re chasing the dragon from the first rehearsal.” So going into the next play, be open to what Ari is going to say. Look for the light in everything you can and try to protect your parents.” It really opened up everything. After the third shot, I felt great.“
Painful display smoothly
The eighth and final take is what we see in the series. “Watching Cooper perform was extraordinary, and we did it all the time. We never stopped, we had no mistakes– says Graynor.
“It was different every time. We both knew what an incredible gift it was for us as actors, and this episode far exceeded our performance. We just wanted to honor Eric’s story and, for me as Leslie, model the kind of listening and love that he gives her.“
Koch became emotional when talking about working with Ari Graynor. “The fact that you don’t see her face, you only hear her voice, and she guides him throughout the episode, Ari is so generous in her performance.– he sighed and wiped the tears from his face.I’m sorry It’s like that every time I talk about it.“
Spectacular acting performances
Ryan Murphy said he and co-creator Ian Brennan were willing to give Eric his side of the story. “Everything he says is based on what he has said, written, discussed or recorded. So it’s very much in line with his point of view“, he explains.
When we were writing, I thought the most powerful way to do it would be to do it in one shot, so you couldn’t look away. You just couldn’t look away.
He adds that during filming, “You could hear a pin drop“and also praised Ari Graynor’s performance, calling her work”Amazing backstage acting“.”Both felt strongly about what they were talking about and giving victims of sexual assault a chance to be heard by the justice system, so to speak.“, confides Ryan Murphy.
Eric Menendez’s reaction and the controversy surrounding the series
Shortly after the series premiered on Netflix, Eric Menendez criticized the series and Ryan Murphy for what he called “destructive character portrayals” when talking about himself and his brother. Both brothers are currently serving life sentences in a San Diego, California prison after being convicted in 1996 of murdering their parents.
In another interview DiversityMurphy defended the series, saying that the monsters were “The best thing that ever happened“Brothers Inside”30 years“.
Cooper Koch met the brothers after the series aired while visiting Kim Kardashian in prison. He thinks the brothers deserve a new trial: “I hope they can get parole and have a good ending to their lives.“
Netflix subscribers were also surprised.
“brother The Menendez Brothers series on Netflix… Episode 5… FUCK man“
“Episode 5 of the Menendez series was very painful to watch. Get these guys out of jail“
“HasAlthough the series is problematic, I just finished episode 5 of the Menendez series, and holy shame in cinematography – 30 minutes of footage just for talking. No wound. There is no music. Only 30 minutes of live play. crazy. so good“
“Despite the debate over whether or not Menendez has a case in #Monsters , there’s no denying that Episode 5, set in a one-shot, is a bold and brilliant piece of theater and writing.“
“Episode 5 of the Menendez case, when we realize they’ve been doing it for a while. 33 minutes are over. It is quite incredible.“
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
