AceShowbiz - In a surprising yet fitting turn, Hulu’s new legal drama, All’s Fair, casts

Kim Kardashian in its leading role. While Kardashian's presence undeniably generates significant buzz, her performance in the series is, regrettably, far from compelling. Surrounded by a stellar ensemble including powerhouses like Glenn Close, Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash-Betts, and Sarah Paulson, Kardashian’s limitations as an actor become starkly evident, leaving audiences wanting more from a show with such a promising cast.

The critique of Kardashian’s acting centers on its stiffness and lack of genuine emotion, delivering not a single authentic note. Ironically, this wooden portrayal perfectly mirrors the show's writing itself, which is similarly described as stiff and affectless. Her casting, therefore, feels less like a strategic artistic choice and more like an attempt to capture viral moments rather than craft a substantive narrative. The show seems to prioritize being mined for social media clips over being genuinely watched and appreciated for its storytelling.

The true disappointment lies with the other incredibly talented actresses, who are tasked with elevating material that simply doesn’t warrant their efforts. One feels a sense of sympathy for these performers, who despite their best attempts, cannot breathe life into a series that constantly reminds viewers of the allure of wealth and the pursuit of more money. It’s hoped that all involved, including Kardashian, received substantial compensation for their roles, given the show's perceived lack of artistic merit, summed up by one critic as "brain dead."

Helmed by Ryan Murphy, reuniting with Jon Robin Baitz and Joe Baken, All’s Fair attempts to present itself with a veneer of female empowerment. However, this facade quickly thins, particularly when the plot introduces elements like kinky consensual sex or a trans sex worker, often presented as lurid reveals rather than integral story points. The narrative follows lawyers Allura Grant (played by Kim Kardashian), Liberty Ronson (Naomi Watts), and investigator Emerald Greene (Niecy Nash-Betts).

Frustrated by their lack of respect from indistinguishably old, white, and male colleagues at their prestigious white-shoe firm, these three formidable women decide to forge their own path. They quickly establish their own firm, Grant Ronson Greene & Associates, specializing exclusively in divorce law for female clients. The show then jumps a decade forward, depicting the firm’s thriving success through exposition-heavy office conversations that recall past victories, rather than showing their journey organically. This narrative shortcut further highlights the show's superficial approach to its themes and character development.