'A Family Affair' Ending Explained: Will Chris and Brooke end up together?

'A Family Affair' is about an author falling in love with her daughter's boss
UPDATED JUN 28, 2024
'A Family Affair' ends with Brooke and Chris reuniting after breaking up earlier (@netflix)
'A Family Affair' ends with Brooke and Chris reuniting after breaking up earlier (@netflix)

Contains spoilers for 'A Family Affair'

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: 'A Family Affair' premiered on Netflix on June 28, 2024. The exciting rom-com stars the iconic Nicole Kidman and the ever-so-adorable Zac Efron in leading roles. The film also features Joey King and Kathy Bates in important roles. 

It follows the life of Chris Cole (Zac Efron), a superstar who has a topsy-turvy love life having gone through multiple break-ups in the past. His assistant is Zara Ford (Joey King), who wants to be a producer but works as Chris's personal assistant to learn the ropes of the industry. 

Things take a romantic turn when Chris meets Zara's mother Brooke Harwood (Nicole Kidman) in a chance encounter. They soon get attracted to each other and begin to harbor feelings for each other. The relationship irks Zara who wants them to separate.

Chris and Brooke break up after Zara's interference in 'A Family Affair'

A still from the movie 'A Family Affair' (@netflix)
A still from the movie 'A Family Affair' (@netflix)

Zara is frustrated at being ill-treated by Chris and understands her boss inside out, being his assistant. She knows that he buys the diamond earrings for the person he is breaking up with.

She finds diamond earrings in his bag and shows them to Brooke who is caught unawares at this revelation. She breaks up with Cole and asks him to leave. 

The break-up happens just after Brooke confides in Leila Ford (Kathy Bates) that she is getting serious about Chris and it would hurt her if Cole were to leave. 

Zara and Leila get Chris and Brooke back together

A still from the movie 'A Family Affair' (@netflix)
A still from the movie 'A Family Affair' (@netflix)

Zara regrets intervening in Chris and Brooke's relationship and confronts both of them. She has a discussion with her mother where she thanks her for always being there for her and supporting her through her career choices. 

She plots out a scheme with her grandmother Leila where she gets Chris to a supermarket and at the same time, Leila gets Brooke to the same supermarket. 

With them coming face-to-face with each other, they resolve their differences and get back together. 

Zara becomes a producer and Brooke completes her book in 'A Family Affair'

A still from the movie 'A Family Affair' (@netflix)
A still from the movie 'A Family Affair' (@netflix)

In the film's denouement, we see the protagonists finally completing their character arcs after a journey that has seen them go through emotional turmoil. 

Zara is finally a producer who now instructs Chris and has some authority over him. This is life coming full circle for her as she did Chris's handy work for most of the previous two years. 

Brooke is able to get her book published and reclaim her spot as the coveted author she once was. Her relationship with Chris seems to be going smoothly for now. 

'A Family Affair' is available for streaming on Netflix from June 28, 2024

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