The centerpiece of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's dramatization of the Menendez murders was filmed over two days, as Koch's Erik Menendez details the years of sexual, physical and mental abuse he claims drove him to patricide.

Erik Menéndez wants to watch Cooper Koch's portrayal of him — specifically in the critically acclaimed episode The Hurt Man — despite publicly denouncing Ryan Murphy's Monsters. Koch, 28, recalled speaking with Menéndez,

Cooper Koch and Nicholas Chavez discuss their takeaways from playing the Menendez brothers and the mixed reaction to 'Monsters' so far. [INTERVIEW]

"It was really, really powerful and emotional," says the actor who portrays the convicted murderer in the controversial Netflix series of the face-to-face meeting.

Monsters' Star Cooper Koch Breaks Down One-Take Scene As Erik Menéndez When He Reveals History Of Abuse: "Super Nerve-Wracking"

The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story', tells PEOPLE he "was so nervous" before meeting the brothers with Kim Kardashian

The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story" even started shooting, Cooper Koch already had the script for "The Hurt Man" memorized. That's how vital the Netflix star knew Episode 5 was to Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's drama.

The Erik and Lyle Menendez Story' star Cooper Koch visited Erik and Lyle Menendez in Prison in San Diego on Sept. 21, a source tells PEOPLE

The latest iteration of the Monsters true-crime series chronicles the lives of the Menéndez brothers, whose 1989 murder of their parents became infamous throughout the early 90s