Netflix’s new installment of Ryan Murphy’s anthology series, Monsters: The Eric and Lyle Mendendez Story, received heavy criticism from the real Menendez brothers. Javier Bardem, who played their father Jose, has opened up about their objection.

Following the release of the second installment of the Monsters trilogy, which follows the hit Dahmer, the real Erik Menendez slammed the series a couple of days after the premiere on Sept. 19. The two brothers are incarcerated for life for murdering their parents, and slammed the “dishonest portrayal” shown in the series. The extended Menendez family further slammed the new Netflix series, calling it a “character assassination,” as the siblings’ family is advocating for their release from prison. In an interview with Sky News, Bardem showed his understanding of the Menendez brothers’ predicament, yet he highlighted his “openness” as an actor.

Bardem noted he has “total respect” for the Menendez brothers. “My feelings are total respect for [Erik] and his brother to make any statement about his life being portrayed, a version made by Ryan [Murphy] and Ian Brennan, based on facts but also investigation and research. And of course, he has a right to like or dislike, and I support this expression.”

He has a right to like or dislike, and I support this expression

Speaking about his job as an actor, the Spanish star added, “That being said, the ethical line that you have to do in portraying someone in a show as delicate as this one, is to leave out your judgment and focus on the curiosity of the material,” the Academy Award-winning actor highlighted, “which I know it was very, very strong based on years of research.”

He continued that as an actor, you “just do the job and deposit all the trust in the creators to show it to the people in a way there’s no statement,” he added. “It’s more about different visions and different views from different people in the show and everything is still open for interpretation. As an actor, you have to be open to that.”

Monsters Season 2 Was Filled With Controversy

Following the release of Erik Menendez’s statement, Ryan Murphy invoked their “obligation as storytellers” to focus on all the details about the case, including focusing on their parents. The creator also highlighted that he finds it “interesting” that the two brothers commented on the show without having seen it, a sentiment some of the cast members reissued. However, Murphy went back and forth with his support for the brothers. The series creator also claimed that he thinks “they can be out of prison by Christmas. I really believe that,” which might warrant new Monsters episodes in the same season.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story drew a lot of interest, with a total of 31.8 million views for its two weeks, taking the top spot for two consecutive weeks since its premiere. It has also opened the conversation about the case, which also led to a Netflix documentary allowing the brothers to tell their story. The Menendez Brothers is out on Netflix.

With a new hearing date set, the siblings’ story isn’t over yet, but Ryan Murphy is looking towards the future and has already revealed the title for the upcoming season of the Monsters anthology. Following the notorious murderer Ed Gein, the new season will have Sons of Anarchy actor Charlie Hunnam as the lead and is referred to as The Original Monster. Filming will start later this month.

The first two installments of the Monster anthology, Dahmer and The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, are available to stream on Netflix.