Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story debuts chilling teaser trailer

When Netflix released Dahmer — Monsters: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story in September 2022, the true crime thriller quickly became a massive hit and won multiple awards. Naturally, the streamer renewed the anthology series for two more seasons centered on other monstrous public figures and stories, the first of which arrives on Sept. 19 as Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

On Aug. 27, the streaming service released the official first teaser trailer for the series and gave viewers their first glance at the main cast in character. The teaser takes place during the photoshoot of a Menendez family portrait, though voiceover between the mother and father reveals that all is not what it seems behind the smiles and grins on their faces.

Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny play José and Mary Louise ("Kitty") Menendez, the parents of the titular Lyle and Erik Menendez, played by Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch respectively. In the teaser's voiceover, Kitty tells José, "I need to know what's going on with you and the boys." José pushes back with his wife and insists, "It is over." It's a chilling reference to the brothers' allegations of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse against their parents.

While the newly released clip of the series isn't a full look at what to expect from the series, it does provide a look at what's sure to be an uncomfortable and startling inquest into one of the most infamous murder cases in the country. The ending of the teaser, too, presents an unexpected and emotionally charged look at the brothers' close connection.

Watch the teaser trailer in the video below!

Prior to releasing the teaser trailer on Aug. 27, Netflix announced the Sept. 19 release date with a date announcement video on Aug. 20. In the date announcement video, Lyle and Erik drive up to their parents' home at night and cautiously approach their bedroom. The screen fades to black as the sound of gunshots soundtrack the title and release date on screen.

If Dahmer was any indication, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story clearly won't shy away from depicting the circumstances of the Menendez family story and touching on the subject matter that was brought forward in its aftermath. Ahead of a full trailer release, Netflix has already driven up intrigue for the series and shown its no-holds-barred approach to retelling the complicated story.

Beyond the four main cast members who appear in the teaser trailer, Monsters will also feature appearances from Nathan Lane, Ari Graynor, Leslie Grossman, Dallas Roberts, Paul Adelstein, Jason Butler Harner, Enrique Murciano, Michael Gladis, Drew Powell, Charlie Hall, and many more supporting cast members. The first season of the series contained 10 episodes, and the second season is expected to follow suit with another 10-episode season.

Considering the controversies that surrounded the release of Dahmer, some viewers are likely skeptical to check out Menendez, though the synopsis of the new season seems to hint at exploring the uncertainty at the center of the murder case. Netflix suggests that the episodes will ask the question: Who are the real monsters? Well, we'll find out when the buzzy series from Ryan Murphy returns this fall.

Watch Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story on Netflix beginning on Sept. 19.