The new Hulu drama series “All’s Fair,” which features an all-star cast led by Kim Kardashian, is making headlines for all the wrong reasons as it continues to be panned by critics.
“All’s Fair” premiered its first three episodes on the streaming platform Nov. 4, introducing viewers to a group of female divorce attorneys who decide to leave their firm, run by men, and open their own practice.
“Fierce, brilliant, and emotionally complicated, they navigate high-stakes breakups, scandalous secrets, and shifting allegiances— both in the courtroom and within their own ranks. In a world where money talks and love is a battleground, these women don’t just play the game—they change it,” the description reads. The legal drama, co-created by Ryan Murphy and his “Grotesquerie” collaborators Jon Robin Baitz and Joe Baken, also stars Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close, Niecy Nash, Naomi Watts and Teyana Taylor.
But despite all the talented names in front of and behind the camera, the series debuted on Rotten Tomatoes with a 0% score from critics, who wrote mostly scathing reviews about the show’s plot, writing and Kardashian’s performance.
While critics seem aligned on their opinions of “All’s Fair” so far, the audience score has been somewhat more favorable. Read on to hear what television critics and viewers have been saying about the trending series.
What have critics said about “All’s Fair?”
Since it arrived on Hulu, the reviews for “All’s Fair” have been overwhelmingly negative. Multiple critics have pointed out the disjointed tone and thin plot.
In her review for Time, Judy Berman wrote, in part, “I can say that, whether it means to be or not, ‘All’s Fair’ is both reminiscent of some of the small screen’s biggest female-focused hits and unlike anything I’ve seen on TV before.”
That’s not a compliment. She later described the series as “a 2010s Shonda Rhimes procedural on steroid shots and Goop supplements, if everyone in the writers’ room had been freshly lobotomized. ‘All’s Fair’ is ‘The First Wives Club’ for psychopaths. ‘All’s Fair’ is a multigenerational, workplace ‘Sex and the City,’ if the sex were all talk and the city irrelevant and the humor not necessarily intentional.”
New York Magazine’s Vulture critic Roxana Hadadi called out Murphy in her review. “At his best, Murphy is a connoisseur of low culture, a maestro of story lines that play out at a buzzsaw pace, a sculptor of characters who spit out corrosive one-liners and gnaw through scenery, an architect of goofy sex scenes, and a mastermind at presenting exploitation as empowerment,” she said. “’All’s Fair’ is cotton-candy TV: sticky, airy, and, once it’s all gone, both satisfying and nausea inducing.”
But there were some positives, as Hadadi wrote that “All’s Fair” has moments when it is reminiscent of other Murphy series like “Nip/Tuck,” “9-1-1” and “Doctor Odyssey.”
In a trailer for Kanye West’s latest documentary, “In Whose Name,” the reality star can be heard crying as she says to her ex, “Your personality was not like this a few years ago.”
Kaleigh Donaldson of “The Wrap” was less forgiving, labeling the show “terrible” before pointing out flaws in the script and Kardashian’s acting.
“There are lines of dialogue here so bad that one wonders if the script ever got past a sketched-out first draft on the back of a napkin. When it’s not lazy exposition, it’s painfully stretched attempts at gif-ready one-liners,” Donaldson said. She also said Kardashian’s inclusion in the series was “stunt casting.”
Kelly Lawler of USA Today flat-out called it “the worst TV show of the year” in her headline and Variety’s Angie Han said it was “unforgivably dull.” The Guardian’s Lucy Mangan gave it zero out of five stars.
The one critic who wrote a complimentary review: Decider’s Joel Keller, who recommended his readers stream the series. His review also bumped the show up to a 6% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
“When you cram a show like ‘All’s Fair’ with so many top-notch actors (and, while Kim K. isn’t exactly Watts, Nash or Close-level in the acting department, she holds her own), and then stuff each episode with cases involving huge guest stars, you can’t help but make a show watchable,” he said. Keller also pointed out there were comedic moments in the show that he enjoyed.
He concluded, “’All’s Fair’ is over the top and campy as hell, but it also knows it’s both of these things, which is why the show and the cases the firm deals with are going to be fun to watch.”
What have fans said about “All’s Fair?”
While critics voiced their opinions, hundreds of viewers commented on Rotten Tomatoes to share their thoughts, too. The audience score was mixed, hovering around 61% as of Nov. 5.
One fan left a five-star review and said, “People are such haters. Such a fun watch with great talent. Keyboard warriors and trolls seem to basing their ratings based off what they think of the Kardashians and Kim without giving merit to her actual talent, skill and dedication to every craft shes put hands on. If you know you know and if you dont know, take your hate elsewhere.”
Another commented, “I love it, I feel it’s a very clever show. I love the characters in their individuality and how they all bring a different flavor to every episode. I had expectations and I feel glad they didn’t disappoint. Ryan Murphy never disappoints.”
A third agreed about the show’s premise, writing, “Personally I think it is a powerhouse display of women and law and is very interesting and entertaining.”
Many said they appreciated the campy sense of humor in “All’s Fair” and were looking forward to the rest of the season.
“All Fair’s Will Be The People’s Champ! It’s (what we’re) missing on television. It’s funny, fashion forward, campy, glamorous, and filled with shade and reads!! Reviews are being tough but I think the people will enjoy it! It’s something new and original,” one person wrote. “I’m tired of the reboot era.”
However, some agreed with the critics.
One one-star review from a viewer read, “All’s Fair tries to present itself as bold and provocative, but it ends up being tone-deaf and, at times, outright offensive. In the current state of the world, where empathy and awareness should be at the forefront of storytelling, the show’s approach feels careless and disconnected. Instead of challenging viewers to think critically, it relies on exaggerated stereotypes and shallow shock value. What could have been a relevant commentary on justice and social dynamics turns into a spectacle that trivializes serious issues. Art has the power to provoke, but it also carries responsibility. All’s Fair forgets that balance — and the result is a show that feels out of touch with the moment we’re living in.”
Another said that the promising concept wasn’t executed properly. “While this series boasts impeccable styling and a stellar cast, it is completely let down by the awkwardly abrupt writing, delivery, and poor direction. As a result, each scene feels (labored), and the actors showcase their unique skills at a rather jarring, manufactured and superficial level. The concept had great potential — backed by a solid budget. It is clear something wasn’t working behind the scenes and, in this instance, it may cost Ryan Murphy the attention of his otherwise usually loyal audience.”
This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:
