Cooper Koch reacts to Erik Menéndez's criticism over Ryan Murphy’s ‘Monsters’

Cooper Koch, who portrays the character of Erik Menéndez in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story, shared his thoughts over criticism Erik made following the release of the Netflix series.

“[Erik’s reaction] definitely affected me and it made me feel things,” Koch told Variety in an interview.

“I sympathise with him, I empathise with him. I get it. I understand how difficult it would be to have the worst part of your life be televised for millions of people to see."

He added that the ordeal must have been "so exposing" for the brothers. "I understand how he feels and I stand by him.”

Shedding light on how he prepared for the character, the actor revealed that he wanted to portray the part with integrity.

“In terms of approaching him and approaching the part, I just really wanted to do as much research and dig really deep into myself to really portray him with integrity and just be as authentic as possible to support him and also to support his family and all the people who stand with him,” Koch added.

The remarks came after the the younger Menendez brother, Erik, slammed Murphy's retelling of their true crime story. 

Erik slammed the series to be “rooted in horrible and blatant lies” about him and brother Lyle.

“It is sad for me to know that Netflix’s dishonest portrayal of the tragedies surrounding our crime have taken the painful truths several steps backward,” he said.