Monsters star Cooper Koch previously spoke about artistic approach to nudity

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story premiered on Netflix on Sept. 19 and instantly rose to the peak of the top 10 most popular shows ranking. The series, which is the second installment in Ryan Murphy's killer anthology series Monster, has earned its criticisms, but there's no doubt it will also achieve acclaim in its inevitable viewership success.

Particularly, the performances of series stars Nicholas Chavez and Cooper Koch deserve celebration, as they sank their teeth into difficult material and conveyed the heart of these characters. Koch himself delivers an immediately show-stopping performance as Erik. The actor was the sole focus of episode 5, a one-take masterclass in emotional conviction and presence as a performer.

Cooper Koch was 'nervous' but 'okay' with past nude scenes

But there's another aspect of Koch's performance in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story that will draw attention. In the season's third episode, there's a scene in which Erik showers while in prison, and he's making eye contact with a fellow showering inmate across the way. The scene goes on to feature full frontal nudity from Koch in a moment that's visibly vulnerable for Erik.

In 2022, Koch starred in the body horror film Swallowed, from writer-director Carter Smith, and the actor also appeared in a graphic nude scene for the movie. Swallowed, which holds an 82% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, included the scene as an expression of Koch's character Benjamin's "survival in the moment," which allowed the actor "respectfully and artistically" act that part of the story.

Here's what Koch previously told The Queer Review when asked if he had any reservations about performing nudity onscreen:

"My mother had some reservations. She was like, ‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ But, for me, like you said, it’s not sexualized and for my character at least it’s about survival in the moment. It’s part of the story, it’s not flashy nudity that’s just there to garner some attention. I did Hair in college, where we all got naked on stage, and I did an art installation with a director where I was naked. So I’ve had some experience with with nudity as a performer before and it’s always been done really respectfully and artistically. I was definitely still a little nervous and apprehensive about it, but I think anyone would be that way. Ultimately though, it was great and I was super okay with it."

- Cooper Koch

Even though Koch was will "nervous and apprehensive" to bare all for his role in Swallowed, and probably was as well for Monsters, he told The Queer Review that past experience in theater and other projects helped to steady him in telling these stories. Naturally, though, his mom's concern makes sense. She asked the question anyone would ask!

How Monsters will start conversations

While the nudity in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story might differ a bit in its narrative intention to that in Swallowed, they are both pivotal moments for each character. In Monsters, Erik goes on a gut-wrenching journey unpacking what he's been through and how those experiences still impact him and his sexuality as an adult. The episode 3 scene underscores that searching and its inherent sadness.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet for the show's premiere, Koch was asked what he hopes viewers take away from watching Monsters. The actor wants the show and its retelling of this true crime story to inspire hard but necessary conversations:

"It's a really fascinating case, it's a fascinating story, and it hope it leaves people having a lot of conversations about abuse and mental health. I also hope it's an exhilarating ride for people."

- Cooper Koch

Obviously, all viewers will have to see for themselves when they watch if it's an exhilarating ride, but there's no question that Monsters will start a lot of conversations about many, many different scenes and situations. By all accounts, it's not an easy watch given the subject matter and frank discussions about abuse. But in all its complicated and graphic glory, the series has the capacity to encourage discussions about important topics.

Watch Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story only on Netflix.