Is 'A Family Affair' just a 'The Idea of You' rip-off? Reviews split over Nicole Kidman rom-com
ATLANTA, GEORGIA: 'High School Musical' fame Zac Efron has returned to charm us in a romantic and comedy role in Netflix's 'A Family Affair'.
Zac Efron is paired opposite Academy award winner Nicole Kidman in the age-gap rom-com.
Soon after its release on June 28, 2024, fans rushed to social media to share what they truly feel about the film.
Fans divided over 'A Family Affair' vs 'The Idea of You' debate
Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron-starrer 'A Family Affair' on Netflix is being compared to Anne Hathaway's 'The Idea of You', which premiered on Prime Video earlier this year.
A young man falls for an older woman is the storyline of both rom-com films in a nutshell.
While 'The Idea of You' opened to positive reviews from critics in May 2024, Zac Efron starrer has been receiving mixed reactions from fans.
Drawing the comparisons, a fan wrote, "If "The Idea Of You" is Chanel then "A Family Affair" is Walmart. It has its moments but the chemistry between Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron falls flat. There isn't the spark like Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine. One good thing - The daughter is a better age in AFA."
Another fan bashed Zac Efron starrer as he wrote, "just watched a family affair….. the somehow managed to remake the idea of you and make it even worse"
If "The Idea Of You" is Chanel then "A Family Affair" is Walmart. It has its moments but the chemistry between Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron falls flat. There isn't the spark like Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine. One good thing - The daughter is a better age in AFA.
— DG ❤️🇨🇦🖋 (@dgct2) June 29, 2024
just watched a family affair….. the somehow managed to remake the idea of you and make it even worse
— salma (@ellabalinska) June 28, 2024
However, some fans find the Netflix film better than Prime Video film. Calling ‘A Family Affair’ a "classic", they expressed that they found it better than 'The Idea of You'.
Another comment in favor of the Netflix film reads, "A family affair is the answer to if the idea of you was actually good. zac is lowkey meant for comedy."
A Family Affair is a classic. I liked this better than the idea of you.
— Lily (@Lilyisthe) June 28, 2024
a family affair is the answer to if the idea of you was actually good. zac is lowkey meant for comedy
— 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. (@FLORADlOR) June 29, 2024
'Awful' or 'Cute'? 'A Family Affair' receives mixed reactions from fans
Going by the fan reactions, it's evident that 'A Family Affair' isn't everyone's cup of tea. Someone labelled the film "insufferable" while another called it "awful."
Another X user rejected the film in a tweet that read, "A family affair movie makes me SICK. wtf u mean u my mama & dating my boss idk man lowkey wanna fight."
that a family affair movie makes me SICK. wtf u mean u my mama & dating my boss🤢 idk man lowkey wanna fight
— juizi🫦 (@jackelinexss) June 29, 2024
However, fans of simple rom-com dramas have come out in its defense. An X user wrote, "A Family Affair on Netflix is a cute little meta-Hollywood rom-com. No problems here. I laughed plenty. It's as if "When Harry Met Sally" meets Entourage."
"A Family Affair" on Netflix is a cute little meta-Hollywood rom-com. No problems here. I laughed plenty. It's as if "When Harry Met Sally" meets "Entourage."
— The Reverend KFidds (@KFidds) June 29, 2024
"15 minutes into ‘a family affair’ and omg zac efron is MADEEEE for romcoms!!!" wrote another fan.
15 minutes into ‘a family affair’ and omg zac
— megan (@meganmmaria) June 29, 2024
efron is MADEEEE for romcoms!!!
How to stream 'A Family Affair'?
Directed by Richard LaGravenese, 'A Family Affair' also features Joey King, Liza Koshy, Kathy Bates and Sherry Cola.
The film had its digital release on June 28, 2024. With a run time of 111 minutes, 'A Family Affair' is available to stream only on Netflix.
'A Family Affair' trailer