Cooper Koch, the actor who portrays Erik Menendez in Netflix's 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,' went to great lengths to prepare for the role. He revealed in an interview with Variety that he listened to videos of Erik Menendez 'every night before I went to bed' to fully embody the character.
Koch, 28, explained that his deep dive into Erik's life was driven by a desire to accurately portray the teenager, who, along with his brother Lyle, was convicted of murdering their parents in 1989. He wanted to capture Erik's voice and mannerisms, believing they were crucial in understanding the context of the crime, especially regarding allegations of abuse.
"I listened to him every night before I went to bed," Koch said. "I had him on in the car when I was driving. I really did want to get his voice and mannerisms, because they all further support that he was being sexually abused by his father."
A Role Years in the Making
Interestingly, this wasn't Koch's first foray into the Menendez story. He shared that he had auditioned for roles related to the case as far back as 2017, including a 'Law & Order' series and a Lifetime movie. He felt a strong connection to the story, stating, "I just felt this insane cosmic thing that was like, ‘I have to play this part.’ And this immense empathy."
Adding to the sense of destiny, Koch revealed that he even attended the same high school in Calabasas, California, as Erik Menendez before moving to Beverly Hills, further solidifying his feeling that he was meant to portray this role.
The Menendez Case Still Captivates
The Menendez brothers case remains a subject of fascination and debate. Erik and Lyle Menendez were convicted in 1995 for the murders of their parents, Kitty and José, at their Beverly Hills mansion. Netflix's 'Monsters' series aims to re-examine the events and offer a new perspective on the tragic story.