Ryan Murphy is one of Hollywood’s most prominent producers and directors, known for his ability to create compelling, often controversial series. However, after years of building unique, and sometimes problematic, narratives, I believe it’s time for Murphy to put the true crime stories to rest—especially when it comes to real-life cases that he clearly doesn’t understand. One glaring example is his show The Menendez Murders—a series that has sparked significant criticism for its portrayal of the case and the people involved.

1. The Storytelling Is More About Shock Than Truth

From the outset, The Menendez Murders grabs attention with its dramatic flair, but it seems more like a sensationalized spectacle than an accurate representation of what happened. The show paints Lyle and Erik Menendez not just as murderers, but as victims of extreme abuse at the hands of their parents. While this abuse is an important aspect of the case, Murphy’s depiction feels exaggerated and distorted, making it more about drama than the nuanced truth of what these brothers experienced.

For example, some of the most shocking scenes in the show, like the infamous shower moment between the brothers, have no basis in reality. There is no credible evidence that such events ever occurred, yet they are presented as central to the plot. While these moments might boost ratings, they completely miss the point of telling an honest story about a tragic case.

2. A Misrepresentation of Real People

Murphy’s portrayal of Lyle Menendez, in particular, has faced serious backlash from the Menendez family. Lyle himself issued a statement condemning the way he was depicted, claiming that the series spread lies about him and his brother. The real Lyle Menendez stated that the show created a caricature of his character based on false information, with no regard for the truth.

This isn’t just about a fictionalized version of events—this is about real people whose lives were affected by a brutal crime. By distorting the facts for the sake of drama, Murphy undermines the real-life individuals involved, turning them into villains or victims depending on what best serves his narrative.

3. True Crime Should Respect the Facts, Not the Spectacle

When creating a true crime series, especially one based on an infamous case like the Menendez murders, the priority should be accuracy. If your goal is to entertain by sensationalizing or fabricating details, you’ve strayed far from the true spirit of the genre. In the case of The Menendez Murders, Murphy based much of his story on articles from Dominic Dunn, a journalist with a clear bias against the Menendez brothers. The show follows the structure of Dunn’s article Nightmare on Elm Drive almost exactly—except for the fabricated incest rumor, which is a complete distortion of what the case was about.

In reality, there is no evidence to support the incest allegations that are heavily implied in the show. The only testimony involving such a claim came from Lyle himself, who described an isolated incident in which he mimicked behavior he had witnessed from his father. This was a deeply painful, heartbreaking moment, and to turn it into something salacious for the sake of drama is disrespectful.

4. Exploiting Sexual Abuse for Shock Value

Another issue with The Menendez Murders is its treatment of Eric Menendez’s sexuality. The show seems to suggest that Eric must have been gay because he was sexually abused by his father for years. This is not only a harmful stereotype but also completely false. Eric has stated in interviews that the idea he must be gay because of the abuse is a misconception, and yet the show runs with this narrative.

This is an incredibly sensitive issue, and it’s disturbing that Ryan Murphy would choose to perpetuate this harmful idea for the sake of a storyline. Sexual abuse survivors should not be forced into narratives that exploit their trauma for shock value, and Murphy’s handling of this aspect of the case was irresponsible and misguided.

5. Telling the Story with Integrity, Not Sensationalism

The true crime genre can be a powerful way to tell important, real-world stories, but it needs to be done with integrity. If you are going to revisit a real-life case, especially one that involves real people and families, you have a responsibility to tell that story accurately. Ryan Murphy has failed to do this in The Menendez Murders by leaning into sensationalism and misrepresenting key details of the case.

Instead of focusing on creating a compelling, truthful narrative, Murphy has made a show that is more about shock value and drama than about truly understanding what happened in the Menendez case. This approach undermines the seriousness of the crime and the pain that both the victims and the accused went through.

6. It’s Time to Stop

At this point, it’s clear: Ryan Murphy needs to step away from true crime stories. These are real events involving real people who suffered, and their stories deserve to be told with respect and accuracy. If Murphy wants to continue making impactful television, he needs to move away from exploiting these cases for the sake of entertainment and focus on telling stories that are grounded in reality, rather than spectacle.

If Murphy truly cared about the Menendez case and the people involved, he would have focused on the complexities of their lives and the tragedy they faced, rather than using the case as a springboard for dramatic fiction. True crime isn’t just a genre—it’s a responsibility, and it’s time Ryan Murphy started taking that responsibility seriously.

This article isn’t just a critique of Ryan Murphy’s approach to true crime—it’s a call to action for all producers. True crime stories deserve to be told with the utmost respect for the facts and for the people whose lives were forever changed by the events in question. We need to stop sensationalizing these real-life tragedies and start telling stories that matter.