Netflix’s documentary, The Menendez Brothers, comes just after the second season of the acclaimed Monster series, which delves into the notorious slayings of José and Kitty Menendez. While Monster sparked renewed fascination with this decades-old case, Alejandro Hartmann’s recent film has made a more significant impression on audiences thanks to exclusive insights from the brothers themselves, Lyle and Erik Menendez.
Currently, the Menendez brothers are serving life sentences for the murders of their parents. Despite the crime happening over three decades ago, new revelations continue to cultivate public sympathy for their circumstances. In The Menendez Brothers, Lyle and Erik recount their experiences, complemented by gripping interviews with relatives, lawyers, journalists, and other key figures.
Movie lovers who have enjoyed The Menendez Brothers should explore the notable documentaries included in this curated list that feature thorough research and captivating content.
Disclaimer: This compilation sources information from various references.
8 Documentaries Similar to The Menendez Brothers That Delve into Astonishing Cases Seeming Almost Unreal
1) Brother’s Keeper (1992)
Viewers of The Menendez Brothers will recognize the ambiguity surrounding the motivations of Lyle and Erik in their parents’ killings. Similarly, in this compelling documentary by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky, the events of the murder remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Centering on the Ward brothers—Roscoe, Lyman George, William Jay, and Adelbert Daniel from Munnsville, New York—the film unfolds a narrative of intrigue as it examines the aftermath of William’s murder, for which his brother Delbert faced accusations. Brother’s Keeper probes into motives, the potential for coercion, and the perceptions of those from rural areas when confronted by urban complexities.
This acclaimed documentary remains relatively undiscovered, despite winning multiple awards and is worth exploring.
Where to watch: Brother’s Keeper is streaming on Apple TV+.
2) The House of Suh (2010)
In The Menendez Brothers, viewers learn of the seemingly perfect facade of the Menendez family, behind which lay dark secrets. Iris Shim’s documentary also unveils a shocking murder case that belies first impressions.
The film recounts the murder of Robert O’Dubaine, a bar owner shot by Andrew Suh, who was Catherine’s boyfriend at that time. It delves into the complex situations that compelled Andrew to commit the act and the role Catherine played within this tragedy.
Additionally, the documentary examines how cultural pressures can deeply influence young minds and their decisions.
Where to watch: Fans of true crime can watch The House of Suh on Prime Video.
3) The Fear of 13 (2015)
Both The Menendez Brothers and Monster have prompted viewers to contemplate the ambiguous elements in the Menendez case. Many have suggested reconsidering their sentences given the fresh insights. David Sington’s film, The Fear of 13, exposes a similar instance where the justice system failed to uncover the full truth.
Nick Yarris was wrongfully convicted of a 1981 kidnapping, rape, and murder and spent years on death row before being proven innocent and released in 2004. Like Lyle and Erik Menendez, Yarris narrates his saga, sharing his life experiences before and after his arrest.
This emotionally charged documentary immerses viewers in Yarris’s narrative, allowing them to empathize with his tribulations.
Where to watch: The Fear of 13 can be found on Apple TV+.
4) Killing for Love (2016)
Panic surrounded the initial reporting of the Menendez murders, and suspicion didn’t initially fall on Lyle and Erik. Conversely, the distressing case investigated in this documentary by Marcus Vetter and Karin Steinberger points to unlikely suspects.
The narrative involves the murders of Nancy Astor Benedict Haysom and Derek William Reginald Haysom, discovered days after their deaths. As the inquiry unfolded, it shocked investigators to find that their daughter Elizabeth Haysom and her boyfriend Jens Söring were responsible.
This case, much like the Menendez brothers’, captured the public’s imagination as the details of that tragic night began to unravel. Throughout the trial, both Elizabeth and Jens offered conflicting accounts to place blame on each other, creating an engaging viewing experience that leaves audiences pondering the real perpetrator.
Where to watch: Killing for Love is available to stream on Prime Video.
5) Mommy Dead and Dearest (2017)
The Menendez Brothers raises many questions regarding the impact of abuse on families. Erin Lee Carr’s illuminating documentary similarly focuses on a murder that arose from years of manipulation and maltreatment.
In June 2015, Clauddine “Dee Dee”Blanchard was found murdered, leading to suspicions about her daughter Gypsy-Rose Blanchard and her boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn. The investigation unearthed years of abuse wherein Dee Dee had fabricated grave illnesses to gain financial support from others.
The discussions Lyle and Erik have in The Menendez Brothers prompt viewers to reflect on the enduring effects of abuse, a sentiment echoed alongside Gypsy’s challenging experiences depicted in Mommy Dead and Dearest.
Where to watch: This poignant and unsettling documentary is accessible on HBO and Max.
6) Rosa Peral’s Tapes (2023)
The Menendez Brothers includes intimate audio interviews with Lyle and Erik, adding to the film’s richness. Rosa Peral’s Tapes by Carles Vidal Novellas, Manuel Pérez Cáceres, and Carlos Agulló achieves a comparable depth by unveiling the narrative directly from the accused’s voice.
This Spanish documentary examines the murder of Pedro Rodriguez, committed in Barcelona in 2017, where Rosa Peral, his partner, faced allegations of orchestrating the crime alongside her ex-lover Albert Lopez.
Just as Lyle and Erik recount their tale in The Menendez Brothers, Peral chooses to share her side through video dialogues from prison. She recounts how the prosecution painted her as a morally bankrupt individual using call records and personal messages, challenging viewers to rethink the fairness of her trial.
Where to watch: Rosa Peral’s Tapes is available for streaming on Netflix.
7) Ice Cold: Murder, Coffee and Jessica Wongso (2023)
During their trial, the Menendez brothers were initially portrayed as aloof and unrepentant, leading many to believe they killed their parents for inheritance. A parallel scenario unfolded in the case of Jessica Kumala Wongso, the subject of this documentary by Rob Sixsmith.
Wongso became the central suspect in the 2016 murder of Wayan Mirna Salihin, who allegedly succumbed to cyanide poisoning while meeting Wongso at a café. Media narratives, akin to those surrounding the Menendez brothers, depicted Wongso as an unhinged individual, further shaping public perception against her.
This thorough documentary examines the unresolved aspects of the case while offering insights into Indonesia’s criminal justice system’s complexities.
Where to watch: True crime enthusiasts can find Ice Cold on Netflix.
8) What Jennifer Did (2024)
The Menendez brothers’ story emphasizes that murder cases often conceal deeper narratives, a sentiment echoed in What Jennifer Did by Jenny Popplewell. This documentary recounts the attempted murder of Hann Pann and the death of Bich Pan, orchestrated by their daughter Jennifer Pan.
The film traces Jennifer’s desperate 911 call reporting a home invasion and subsequent police investigations that disclose her intricate manipulation of the situation. The real-time footage of Jennifer’s interviews makes the documentary particularly engaging, offering insight into her psyche, motives, and the police’s investigative methods. Even those familiar with the case may discover lesser-known details, much like in The Menendez Brothers.
Where to watch: What Jennifer Did is available for streaming on Netflix.
Fans of documentary films who found The Menendez Brothers captivating will appreciate these thoughtfully produced titles that unravel shocking events and fascinating investigations.
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