Why are we so obsessed with the Menendez brothers? Experts weigh in

There's a fine line between being curious about true crime and turning criminals into icons – and perhaps we're crossing it more often than we think.

In the latest episode of the Motive & Method podcast, criminologist Dr Xanthé Mallett and criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro take on the Menendez Brothers' high-profile resentencing and the deeper fascination that keeps cases like theirs alive in pop culture.

While the Menendez Brothers' case continues to shock the world, this ongoing obsession raises questions about how we view notorious figures – and why some people even choose to dress up as real-life killers when Halloween rolls around.

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The case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, who were convicted of murdering their wealthy parents in 1989, has always attracted controversy as it shines a light on issues like privilege, abuse, domestic violence and vengeance.

With the brothers' resentencing now on the table and the growing popularity of Netflix's latest series, Monsters, Mallett and Watson-Munro explore how this re-evaluation serves as a reminder of why the case continues to fascinate.

"There's more evidence than there was previously, more witnesses have come forward to say that they do believe they were being abused, and that's really changed things around, hasn't it?" Mallett asks her co-host.

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"[Monsters] may well have been sufficient for the District Attorney to revisit the evidence … He's satisfied that in all likelihood they had a defence, certainly a partial defence to homicide", Watson-Munro elaborates.

"It speaks to the power of true crime docu-series and movies, even decades after offending and convictions … The power of this stuff can't be overstated".

Beyond the headlines, Mallett and Watson-Munro question why society is drawn to "killer icons" and the trend of celebrating these figures as if they were fictional characters.

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While true crime can help us understand the minds behind the crimes, the co-hosts argue this fascination sometimes crosses the line, especially when notorious criminals become Halloween costumes or symbols.

"We might now see people dressed up as the Menendez Brothers, especially in the US where this case is huge," Mallett says.

"Ultimately, they did brutally kill their parents, they are the victims of significant child sexual abuse ... and if you choose to be those characters, what is that actually saying psychologically?"

When individuals dress as murderers, it risks trivialising the real, painful experiences of victims and their families.

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"People like true crime because they feel in control of the narrative… I think for some people, dressing up like this in some ways desensitises the community as to the horror of what's occurred," Watson-Munro says, underscoring how these choices can have genuine emotional impacts.

"That's not necessarily a good thing, by the way, but why do people want to do it? Because they find it interesting and exciting."

As the episode highlights, remembering that behind every notorious name are real lives forever altered by tragedy should be top of mind this, and every, Halloween season. 

The latest episode of Motive & Method is available now wherever you get your podcasts. To hear weekly episodes, tap here or search 'Motive and Method' in your favourite podcast app.

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