It was one of the most anticipated launches of the fall on Disney+. With a cast including Kim Kardashian, Glenn Close, Naomi Watts, Sarah Paulson, and Niecy Nash-Betts, Ryan Murphy's All's Fair seemed to have all the ingredients for success. But the first three episodes, released on Tuesday, November 4, sparked a wave of criticism, denouncing a flashy but hollow production.
A blockbuster production that impresses more with its visuals than its substance.
Presented in Paris on October 21, the series brought together its stars for a press conference where they all praised the "energy" of Ryan Murphy, known for his landmark series such as Glee and American Horror Story. Glenn Close, the only one in the group who had never worked with him, told Puremédias that she had been "intimidated on set," while also praising a "skillful" director capable of "pushing the boundaries" of his actresses.
But the team's enthusiasm doesn't seem to have convinced the critics. According to The Guardian, which awarded it "zero out of five stars," "not even Glenn Close can save this disaster of a script and direction." The Times, for its part, calls it "probably the worst TV series in recent history," while Variety judges the series "clumsy and condescending," particularly in its attempt to defend a feminist message.
Empty dialogue hidden behind a veneer of luxury
The show follows a team of female divorce lawyers who leave a male-dominated firm to start their own practice. The plot revolves around betrayals, secrets, and romantic entanglements, all set against a backdrop of Chanel bags and glass-walled offices. Despite a promising premise, the series' flat dialogue and contrived situations quickly bored viewers.
For many, All's Fair feels more like a soap opera than a social satire. "A telenovela with a Dior twist," sums up one HuffPost journalist. Rotten Tomatoes even displays a rare 0% positive rating for the series, a sign of near-unanimous critical dislike.
Some internet users, however, defend the series for its "unapologetic bling" and "guilty pleasure." On X, several fans believe it should be watched "as glamorous entertainment, without looking for a message." Still, with a star-studded cast and Ryan Murphy's reputation, All's Fair promised a reflection on power and women—and so far delivers a flashy facade with no real substance.
