Based on the real life events of the murders of Jose and Kitty Menéndez by their sons, Lyle and Erik. Both sons were convicted to life in prison without the possibility of parole on July 2, 1996.
The real Jose Menendez was a native of Cuba who immigrated to the United States. Edward James Olmos, who played the elder Menendez in this film, was born in America and has Mexican heritage on both sides of his family.