A Family Affair
Netflix | Release Date (Streaming): June 28, 2024 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
43
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 23 Critic Reviews
Positive:
5
Mixed:
13
Negative:
5
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
20
The TelegraphEd PowerJul 2, 2024
Though A Family Affair shoots for laughs, it ends up in an uncanny valley of spooky sex and dead-on-arrival jokes. Read full review
38
Movie NationRoger MooreJul 2, 2024
Hilarity does not ensue. The romance has its barely believable moments. Read full review
70
TimeStephanie ZacharekJul 1, 2024
When it sparkles, which is often, it’s perfectly enjoyable. Read full review
38
ObserverEmily ZemlerJul 1, 2024
The challenge here is that Kidman and Efron have no spark, which makes it awkward and uncomfortable to witness their coupling. Read full review
67
The PlaylistRodrigo PerezJun 28, 2024
The trio of Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, and Joey King create an interesting dynamic; the ultimately well-intentioned film has some interesting things to say about late-in-life love, the many facets of self-absorption, and the way we use the notion of protecting the ones we love under the guise of selfish self-interest. Read full review
40
EmpireDavid OpieJun 28, 2024
Not even Nicole Kidman playing off Kathy Bates — or Zac Efron singing Cher's Believe — are enough to save what should have been a surefire hit from Hallmark musings and tired clichés. Read full review
50
RogerEbert.comNell MinowJun 28, 2024
As mundane as its title, with characters whose color-by-numbers personalities and motivations shift randomly to fit a predictable storyline, “A Family Affair” is a low-wattage rom-com. Read full review
45
CNNBrian LowryJun 28, 2024
Even setting the expectations bar at a modest height, though, the movie doesn’t quite clear it – another case, in rom-com terms, where the idea of them, as a marquee matchup, proves superior to the execution. Read full review
70
We Got This CoveredFrancisca TinocoJun 27, 2024
A Family Affair is far from revolutionary filmmaking but it is a near-perfect sample of its genre. It’s ballsy and funny without being over the top, and it’s got an unexpected fire burning behind each of its characters. Read full review
50
Wall Street JournalJohn AndersonJun 27, 2024
As a parody of Hollywood excess and narcissism it is frequently laugh-out-loud; as a wannabe Hallmark Channel holiday movie—a segue that is nothing short of baffling—it is less than amusing, except in the notion that the project got waylaid on its way to Christmas. Read full review
50
Slant MagazineRoss McIndoeJun 27, 2024
Ultimately, Richard LaGravenese’s rom-com is a little too packed with soul-searching speeches. Read full review
41
TheWrapWilliam BibbianiJun 27, 2024
It’s almost worth watching for Zac Efron and Nicole Kidman’s magnetism alone. If by 'almost' you mean 'not really. Read full review
40
VarietyTomris LafflyJun 27, 2024
Sadly, the film plays more like an artless quickie than a fully fleshed-out romance. Read full review
50
The New York TimesGlenn KennyJun 27, 2024
King is not exactly outclassed by Nicole Kidman, Kathy Bates and Zac Efron. But the movie’s script, by Carrie Solomon, puts her at a disadvantage. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterAngie HanJun 27, 2024
Part showbiz send-up and part earnest romantic drama, the film lurches awkwardly between its two modes without settling on a single cohesive tone. Fortunately, both halves are also blessed with the same quality that allows Chris to embody both Zara’s idea of him and Brooke’s: enough charm to make you come away smiling, even as you shake your head at its missteps. Read full review
40
The GuardianPeter BradshawJun 27, 2024
The initial setup is great, the Ephronesque excitable phone conversation montage is tolerable, but the cliched breakup and makeup plot transition clanks. Read full review
25
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalleJun 27, 2024
A Family Affair never even makes the case as to why these people should be together. Read full review
40
ColliderTania HussainJun 27, 2024
As the film attempts to weave itself into a screwball comedy, it unexpectedly bobs into a weak character study, skewing situations and characters while never quite touching the ground or giving us reason to care. Read full review
16
The A.V. Club Jacob OllerJun 27, 2024
Directed by Richard LaGravenese, every moment in A Family Affair sits there as lifelessly as Gerard Butler’s character in LaGravenese’s most successful movie, P.S. I Love You. And that’s not just the fault of the expressionless romantic leads, regrettably cast opposite each other in a way that makes the whole film feel like Joey King’s vacation to the uncanny valley. Read full review
50
Paste MagazineTara Bennett Jun 27, 2024
When King and Efron are grooving to their boss/assistant bickering beat, Affair is the most believable and entertaining. As for the rest, it’s been done better and with more depth in a zillion other films. Read full review
67
IndieWireSamantha BergesonJun 27, 2024
With A Family Affair, Efron picks up where “17 Again” left off, and it’s a delight to see this former teen heartthrob back in a similar mode. Read full review
60
Screen RantAlex HarrisonJun 27, 2024
While it has its weak spots, A Family Affair holds together well enough to entertain. Read full review
40
IGNHanna FlintJun 27, 2024
Despite a starry cast and endearing performance from Joey King, A Family Affair is as messy as the conflicting professional and personal relationships it depicts. A convoluted and superficial script and yawning direction fail to deliver character stakes worth getting behind. Read full review
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