When the first trailer for A Family Affair dropped, the internet basically had a collective "wait, what?" moment. You’ve got Nicole Kidman, an Oscar winner who usually spends her time in high-intensity dramas or eerie miniseries, and Zac Efron, who has spent the last few years beefing up for roles like The Iron Claw. They aren't exactly the first two people you'd pair together for a breezy summer rom-com.
But honestly? That’s exactly what Netflix banked on.
The Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron movie isn't just a random pairing. It’s actually a reunion. Most people forget—or have blocked out—the 2012 fever dream that was The Paperboy. If you know, you know. That movie involved a jellyfish sting, a beach, and a scene that became the stuff of legend for all the wrong reasons. Moving from that gritty, sweat-soaked thriller to a glossy, high-budget Netflix romantic comedy is a pivot so sharp it could give you whiplash.
What Actually Happens in A Family Affair?
The setup is classic "awkward situation" comedy. Joey King plays Zara, the overworked and severely underappreciated assistant to Chris Cole (Efron), a Hollywood mega-star who is basically a parody of every self-absorbed actor you’ve ever read about in a tabloid. He’s the face of a massive superhero franchise called Icarus Rush, and he’s the kind of guy who can't even break up with a girlfriend without his assistant's help.
Zara eventually snaps and quits. Naturally, Chris realizes he’s helpless without her and shows up at her house to beg for her return. Instead of finding Zara, he finds her mother, Brooke Harwood (Kidman), a famous, widowed novelist.
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Sparks fly. Tequila is consumed.
Before Zara can get back from her grocery run, she walks in on her narcissistic boss and her highly respected mother in a very... compromising position. It’s the kind of premise that sounds like it was generated by a "random movie plot" bot, but it’s actually rooted in a very specific Hollywood dynamic. Interestingly, the film was originally titled Motherf---er, which tells you everything you need to know about the tone the creators were initially aiming for.
The Chemistry Debate: Does It Work?
This is where the audience split right down the middle. If you scroll through Reddit or Letterboxd, the reviews for this Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron movie are all over the place.
On one hand, you have people who found the age gap (Kidman is 57, Efron is 36) to be a non-issue because, well, they both look like they’ve been sculpted from marble. Some critics, like Pete Hammond from Deadline, argued that the magnetism between the two leads is the only thing keeping the movie afloat. They have this easy, comfortable rapport that feels more grounded than the zany comedy surrounding them.
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On the other hand, a huge chunk of viewers felt the "spark" just wasn't there. It’s a weird paradox. Separately, they are great. Efron is genuinely funny when he’s leaning into the "himbo" energy, and Kidman can play a sophisticated-but-lonely intellectual in her sleep. But together? Some felt it was like watching two different movies trying to occupy the same space.
The Real Star is Kathy Bates
Let’s be real for a second. While the marketing focused on the central romance, Kathy Bates absolutely steals the show. She plays Brooke’s mother-in-law, Leila. In a movie that sometimes feels a bit "Netflix-beige" (you know that flat, bright lighting every streaming movie has?), Bates brings a warmth and dry wit that feels human. Her scenes with Joey King actually provide the emotional backbone that the romance occasionally lacks.
Why This Movie Racked Up 50 Million Hours of Watch Time
Despite a lukewarm 35% on Rotten Tomatoes, A Family Affair was a massive hit for Netflix. It debuted at #1 and stayed in the Top 10 for over a month. Why? Because it satisfies a very specific craving: the "low-stakes" watch.
In 2026, we’re seeing a massive resurgence of the mid-budget rom-com. We spent a decade where movies were either $200 million Marvel epics or $2 million indie darlings. The middle ground disappeared. Netflix filled that void. People want to see beautiful celebrities in beautiful houses (that Pacific Palisades home Brooke lives in is actually a real Spanish estate, though parts were rebuilt on a soundstage in Atlanta) dealing with relatable, if slightly exaggerated, problems.
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- The "Idea of You" Effect: This movie followed hot on the heels of Anne Hathaway’s The Idea of You. There’s a clear appetite for stories about older, successful women finding romance with younger men who see them as more than just "moms."
- Zac Efron’s New Era: Efron is in a weirdly fascinating part of his career. He’s transitioning from the High School Musical heartthrob to a serious actor who isn't afraid to look ridiculous.
- The Comfort Factor: It’s a "laundry-folding" movie. You can put it on, look away to match some socks, and not miss a beat of the plot. There's value in that.
Misconceptions and Behind-the-Scenes Oddities
One thing that gets lost in the conversation is that this movie was actually delayed for a long time. It was supposed to come out in late 2023, but the SAG-AFTRA strike pushed it back. This delay might have actually helped it, landing it right in the middle of the "summer of the rom-com" in 2024.
Also, for those wondering about the "frozen" look of the film—no, it’s not just you. The cinematography is very "streaming-core." It was filmed partly in Los Angeles but mostly in Georgia to take advantage of those sweet, sweet tax credits. They even built a multi-million dollar oceanfront house on a soundstage in Atlanta. If the ocean looks a little too perfect through the windows, that’s probably why.
What Most People Get Wrong
People assume the movie is trying to be a deep exploration of grief or family trauma because Kidman is involved. It’s not. If you go in expecting Big Little Lies, you’re going to be disappointed. It’s a movie where a grown woman (Zara) reacts to her mom dating her boss by literally retching on the floor. It’s slapstick. It’s silly. It’s basically a Hallmark movie with a $50 million budget and A-list talent.
How to Get the Most Out of A Family Affair
If you haven't seen it yet, or you're planning a rewatch, here is the best way to approach it. Don't look for the next great cinematic masterpiece. Instead, look at it as a study in modern celebrity.
- Watch the Supermarket Scene: There’s a scene at the end involving a grocery store and a "rainstorm" that is genuinely sweet and pays off a joke from earlier in the film. It’s the most "human" moment Efron and Kidman have.
- Contrast it with The Paperboy: If you really want to see how far these two have come, watch ten minutes of The Paperboy afterward. The tonal shift is enough to give you a spiritual awakening.
- Check out the "Icarus" posters: The production team put a lot of work into the fake movie posters for Chris Cole’s superhero franchise. They are a hilarious commentary on the current state of the MCU.
If you’re looking for your next weekend watch, give this one a shot when you want something that doesn't require a flowchart to understand. Just grab some popcorn, ignore the flat lighting, and enjoy the sight of two of Hollywood's biggest stars leaning into the absurdity of the genre.
Next Step: Head over to Netflix and search for the "making of" clips in the trailers and more section; the interviews with Joey King and Zac Efron about their comedic timing are actually more entertaining than a few of the scenes in the actual movie.