New Netflix romantic comedy, A Family Affair, has taken the streaming world by storm, despite receiving harsh reviews from critics. Starring Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, and Joey King, the film has topped Netflix’s global movie charts, amassing an impressive 26,800,000 views in just one week.
Audience vs. Critics
Despite its popularity among viewers, A Family Affair has been widely criticized. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a dismal 41% score from 71 critics. Nate Adams of The Only Critic referred to it as a “laundry film,” suggesting it’s the type of movie one can watch while doing chores without missing anything important. The Wall Street Journal found the film confusing, calling it a laughable parody of Hollywood excess that fails as a Hallmark-style holiday movie.
Star-Studded Cast
The film features an A-list cast, including Nicole Kidman, 57, and Zac Efron, 36, along with Joey King and Oscar-winner Kathy Bates. The plot follows an obnoxious film star, Chris Cole (played by Efron), who becomes romantically involved with his assistant Zara’s (King) mother, portrayed by Kidman. This unexpected relationship leaves Zara unimpressed and creates comedic chaos.
Public Reception
Despite the negative reviews, audiences have flocked to watch the film, logging a staggering 50,900,000 hours of viewing time, including incomplete streams. This phenomenon highlights the often significant disconnect between critical reviews and public taste.
Previous Instances of Critical Misjudgment
This is not the first time a Netflix film has defied critical expectations. Last month, Mother of the Bride, another romantic comedy, was labeled “awful” by critics yet managed to attract over 25 million views shortly after its release. The film, starring Brooke Shields and Miranda Cosgrove, follows the story of a mother shocked to learn of her daughter’s sudden wedding plans in Thailand, only to find out the groom’s father is her ex-boyfriend.
The success of A Family Affair underscores the unpredictability of film reception. While critics may pan certain movies, audience engagement ultimately determines a film’s popularity. A Family Affair joins the ranks of films that have triumphed over negative reviews to become audience favorites.
