Should you watch or skip Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story? Here's the consensus

After a two-year wait since the release of Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Netflix has finally released the second season of Ryan Murphy's true crime anthology series. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story made its premiere on Sept. 19 and delved into another shocking story of murder, but this time, the title of "monster" is under the microscope.

Whenever Murphy releases another season of television, whether it's American Horror/Crime/Sports Story or the upcoming new series Grotesquerie, there's obvious built-in buzz. Everyone wants to see how the prolific producer tackles his next stories, if the full season holds up (because sometimes AHS doesn't), and how much care will be taken in telling true stories.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story will likely be one of the biggest Netflix original series of the year that everyone will be talking about from its release date and beyond. But should you add the series to your watch list? Is it worth watching? For those on the fence, here's a spoiler-free review that might help you decide whether to watch or skip the dark and gritty thriller.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is worth the watch

If you're a fan of true crime stories that don't shy away from sharing all of the details, then you will enjoy watching Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. In true Ryan Murphy fashion, the series doesn't beat around the bush or tone much down in retelling the complicated and tragic story of the Menendez family. The series is brutal, provocative, and deeply affecting in its brash approach.

If you're coming into The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story looking learn every truth and fact about the Menendez brothers case, this probably shouldn't be your first stop. By nature, it's a fictionalized account of what happened that takes certain creative liberties in bringing various perspectives to life. That doesn't mean nothing in the series is accurate, but by definition, it's a drama series, not a docuseries. Perhaps wait to watch Netflix's upcoming documentary on the brothers first.

Also in true Murphy fashion, the series features graphic violence and nudity. While the violence should be a given considering it's a series about murder, the nudity might catch some unsuspecting viewers by surprise. It's definitely a mature series that's not for the squeamish, and the subject matter shouldn't be taken lightly. Thematically, abuse plays a large role and could be a reason not to watch.

Nicholas Chavez and Cooper Koch are Emmy worthy

As the titular characters of the series, rising newcomers Nicholas Chavez and Cooper Koch are revelatory. Chavez plays Lyle with a reckless abandon, acutely aware of the emotional scars that are buried beneath the bravado the character wears as amor. He's a powerful presence that's an exciting new addition to the Murphy-verse roster of recurring performers, next seen in Grotesquerie.

Meanwhile, Koch carries a lot of the heavy lifting of the show's pathos on his shoulders. Separating actor from character, Koch has an inherent likability that inspires empathy. Simply, he's captivating to watch as he navigates Erik's trauma internally and externally. Koch dominates episode 5, which appears to have been filmed in one take, the camera focused solely on Koch for the entire 33-minute runtime.

Additionally, Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny were expectedly great in their roles as Jose and Kitty Menendez, while Ari Graynor delivers the strongest supporting role as Erik's defense attorney Leslie Abramson. We should definitely expect more than a few cast members to receive recognition at next year's Emmy Awards, and Chavez and Koch should deserve nominations for their work.

Overall, the series successfully keeps its promise in at least attempting to gracefully present one of the most famous American true crime stories. We shouldn't forget that, no matter how haunting and award-worthy the acting, this really happened. The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story takes specific leanings at various points but lays it all on the table for the audience to unpack for themselves and answer the question Netflix asks: Who are the real monsters?

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