Hulu’s new drama series “Good American Family” tells the story of Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian adoptee with dwarfism who was abandoned by her adoptive parents and subject to years of neglect and abuse. The show stars Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass as the Barnetts, who convinced a court to change Natalia’s legal age from 8 to 22, before abandoning her in an apartment.
The series has been widely criticized for its sensational and exploitative portrayal of Natalia’s life, which is already well-documented through news reports and Investigation Discovery’s three-part docuseries. The show’s structure, which alternates between the Barnetts’ perspective and Natalia’s, is seen as illogical and terrible, failing to provide any new insights into the complex allegations surrounding the case.
The series has been accused of “both-sidesing,” presenting conflicting narratives that don’t add up to a coherent story. The show’s creators seem more interested in titillating audiences with sensational headlines than in providing a thoughtful and nuanced exploration of Natalia’s experiences.
Critics argue that the show’s approach is particularly egregious given Natalia’s vulnerability as a child who was subjected to years of abuse and neglect. Her case has already sparked intense public scrutiny, and many believe that it should not have been adapted into an Emmy-hopeful limited series with a famous cast.
Ultimately, “Good American Family” fails to deliver on its promise of exploring the complexities of Natalia’s story. Instead, it panders to our cultural thirst for true-crime content, exploiting the tragedy of her experiences for dramatic effect. The show is a reminder that not every awful thing we read in the news needs to be an emotionally manipulative and exploitative limited series.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2025/03/19/good-american-family-natalia-grace-review/82273222007