Ryan Murphy, once celebrated for creating television hits like Glee and American Horror Story, has launched his latest show, All’s Fair, on Hulu with a star-studded cast including Kim Kardashian and Naomi Watts. Despite the familiar names and Murphy’s reputation in the industry, the new legal drama is falling short of expectations, raising questions about the producer’s current creative direction and grasp on compelling storytelling.
The Premise and Key Characters of All’s Fair
The series opens by introducing lawyers Allura Grant (Kim Kardashian) and Liberty Ronson (Naomi Watts), who walk away from their male-dominated law firm to start a new practice specializing in divorce cases. Together with investigator Emerald Greene (Niecy Nash-Betts), they focus on helping women escape restrictive prenuptial agreements. The show is set against a backdrop of opulent lifestyles, featuring wealthy clients in lavish homes, but it undercuts this with personal betrayals and insecurities. Allura’s husband Chase (Matthew Noszka) is an unfaithful spouse, while Liberty grapples with the age difference between her and younger boyfriend (O-T Fagbenle from The Handmaid’s Tale).
Adding to the tension is Carrington Lane (Sarah Paulson), a former colleague left behind at their previous firm. Carrington fuels the show’s main antagonistic arc by seeking revenge on Allura and Liberty through petty and vindictive actions, from harsh words to recruiting Chase as a client and even a bizarre edible arrangement prank. Glenn Close appears as a mentor figure for the lawyers, dealing with her own family crisis as her character’s husband (Ed O’Neill) battles cancer.
Familiar Faces but Fragile Foundations
Many of the actors involved have deep ties to Murphy’s past projects, demonstrating the producer’s long-standing ability to retain a loyal ensemble. Notable guest stars include Grace Gummer, Judith Light, Elizabeth Berkley Lauren, and Rick Springfield, with surprise cameos like E from Entourage. Despite the talent pool, the series’ writing and direction leave much to be desired, undermining the efforts of its cast.
Paulson and Nash-Betts, both frequent Murphy collaborators, have enjoyed critical success on previous projects, including Emmy wins and nominations. However, All’s Fair, which Murphy co-created and co-wrote with Jon Robin Baitz and Joe Baken, feels markedly disjointed and superficial, lacking the emotional grounding seen in earlier works. This decline is stark given Murphy’s earlier achievements, such as American Crime Story, which featured contributions from experienced writers like Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski, and Tom Rob Smith.
Plot Execution and Narrative Tone Fall Flat
Though designed as a legal procedural with a case-of-the-week format, All’s Fair fails to deliver satisfying legal drama or character development. The cases serve only as a thin veil for tepid personal conflicts, presented with clichéd dialogue and prolonged scenes that offer little narrative propulsion. Episodes last under 45 minutes, hinting at the show’s limited content and overall lack of authenticity regarding contemporary social realities.
The third episode, I Want Revenge, begins with a prolonged lunch scene in which the main characters discuss various extravagant self-care treatments, including salmon sperm-based fillers, NAD IV therapy, and vaginal PRP, illustrating the show’s odd mixture of surrealism and clichés. Glenn Close’s character summing up with,
“My secret for staying young? Keeping up with all of you. I love you.”
adds a tone of forced empowerment that struggles to resonate.
Performances Glitter But Are Undermined by Flimsy Material
Kim Kardashian delivers her lines without breaking character but lacks the nuanced emotional presence necessary to anchor the show. One of her more memorable moments involves destructively smashing a car while wearing a bright yellow dress, a scene underscored by Doja Cat’s Paint the Town Red. Other actors, including Glenn Close and Teyana Taylor, try to enliven scenes with unusually dramatic monologues, but the weak script limits their impact.
Teyana Taylor, in particular, stands out as a talent wasted in an underwhelming role despite her strong recent performances in other projects. This disconnect highlights the missed opportunities in the series to showcase its diverse and skilled cast effectively.
Behind the Scenes: Murphy’s Waning Storytelling Strength
Ryan Murphy’s involvement as co-creator and co-writer signals he maintained a strong influence on All’s Fair, unlike earlier anthology projects where he contributed more as an executive overseer or director. Yet, this directly correlates with the show’s flaws, revealing a departure from his previous ability to create compelling, emotionally resonant narratives.
Compared to Murphy’s earlier works, where storytelling remained sharp and engaging, All’s Fair feels like an unfocused, shallow soap opera struggling to find tone or purpose. Details such as an inconsistent wig length on Kardashian’s character, Allura, underscore a lack of cohesion and attention to detail in production.
Alternative Legal Dramas to Consider on Hulu
For viewers seeking quality legal drama on Hulu, there are superior options available, including the critically acclaimed series Damages. Starring Glenn Close and Rose Byrne, Damages offers intricate storytelling and strong performances, contrasting sharply with the confusing and underdeveloped world presented in All’s Fair.
Streaming Availability and Final Thoughts
The first three episodes of All’s Fair are currently available for streaming on Hulu. Despite the prestige behind the production and its actors, the series is unlikely to attract or retain viewers looking for meaningful or engaging television. Instead, it represents a puzzling misstep in Ryan Murphy’s career and a notable departure from the quality that once defined his work.
