Kim Kardashian’s much-hyped legal dramedy All’s Fair has become one of the most polarizing TV debuts of 2025. Despite being backed by TV powerhouse Ryan Murphy and featuring an acclaimed ensemble cast, the Hulu series premiered to dismal reviews—landing just a 6% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, barely escaping a zero.
With the show’s glossy production, Murphy’s reputation for pop-culture hits like American Horror Story and Glee, and Kardashian’s first lead acting role, expectations were sky-high. However, the reception has turned All’s Fair into one of the year’s most talked-about television flops, igniting conversations about celebrity casting, tonal misfires, and the tension between fame and craft.
All’s Fair: How the Scores Stack Up
According to early data from Rotten Tomatoes, All’s Fair sits at a 6% critic score (from 17 reviews) and a 64% audience score as of mid-November 2025.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes (Critics) | 6% (1 positive out of 17) |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Audience) | 64% |
| Metacritic Score | 27/100 |
| IMDb Rating | 4.2/10 |
| Premiere Date | November 4, 2025 |
| Platform | Hulu |
| Episodes Released | 3 (weekly releases through December 9) |
The series follows Allura Grant, played by Kardashian, a high-profile Los Angeles attorney leading an all-female law firm specializing in divorce and celebrity litigation. The show promised to blend courtroom drama with satirical humor, but critics argue it missed the mark.
Critics Call It “Glossy But Hollow”
Reviews from major outlets were unrelenting. The Guardian’s Lucy Mangan described it as “fascinatingly, incomprehensibly, existentially terrible,” while The Times called it “a tacky and revolting monument to greed and vanity.”
Angie Han from The Hollywood Reporter wrote that “Kardashian’s performance, stiff and affectless without a single authentic note, is exactly what the writing merits.” Others compared the show unfavorably to Murphy’s earlier hits, suggesting it lacked the sharp satire of Nip/Tuck or the camp appeal of Feud.
However, one critic — Joel Keller of Decider — offered a rare positive note: “It’s over the top and campy as hell, but it also knows it’s both of these things.”
Director Anthony Hemingway Defends the Show
Director Anthony Hemingway, known for The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, addressed the backlash in a calm but pointed response:
“You’re not going to please everybody,” Hemingway said. “It’s entertainment, it’s a comedy. All’s Fair holds a mirror up to each person who watches it — maybe that’s why reactions are so intense. Sometimes you have to give audiences time to adjust to tone.”
Ryan Murphy’s Take on the Reaction
Ryan Murphy, who co-created the show and serves as executive producer, shared a diplomatic view in a post-premiere statement:
“Whenever you take risks with tone — when you mix glamour, law, and absurdity — you’re going to divide people,” Murphy said. “That’s part of what makes television exciting. Kim is fearless. She came into this wanting to surprise people, and she did exactly that.”
Murphy also hinted that he expected polarized reactions. “We’ve seen this before with Glee, American Horror Story, even The Politician. Sometimes it takes a while for the audience to find the rhythm.”
A Look Inside the Plot and Cast
Set in the glossy world of Beverly Hills legal elites, All’s Fair explores the messy intersections of love, law, and celebrity. The series is centered on an all-woman firm handling high-stakes divorce cases while balancing personal chaos.
Main Cast:
| Actor | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kim Kardashian | Allura Grant | A ruthless divorce attorney managing high-profile cases |
| Naomi Watts | Eleanor Voss | A senior partner with a hidden agenda |
| Sarah Paulson | Amelia Price | The firm’s pragmatic, emotionally distant co-founder |
| Niecy Nash-Betts | Carla Monroe | The firm’s comedic heart and mediator |
| Glenn Close | Judge Lenora Hale | A fierce federal judge and Allura’s mentor |
| Teyana Taylor | Jade Rivers | A celebrity client whose case ignites scandal |
The series alternates between courtroom drama and glossy melodrama, with themes of empowerment, betrayal, and modern female ambition.
Industry Voices on the Backlash
Television critic Monique D’Angelo noted that the intense reaction stems from both expectation and context.
“Audiences were curious if Kim Kardashian could carry a scripted series on her own,” D’Angelo said. “Unfortunately, when you have this much anticipation, the backlash can feel harsher than the show itself deserves.”
Audience Response: A Divided View
Despite the scathing critical reviews, Hulu’s internal data reportedly shows that All’s Fair has drawn strong viewer engagement — particularly among 18–34-year-olds. The show’s premiere weekend placed it in Hulu’s Top 5 most-streamed titles.
Social media sentiment, however, remains divided. While some viewers praised Kardashian’s effort, others mocked its dialogue and pacing. Memes comparing the show to Legally Blonde and Suits flooded X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok within hours of release.
Kim Kardashian’s Reaction
While Kardashian hasn’t directly addressed the Rotten Tomatoes score, she reposted fan clips on Instagram with the caption:
“We had fun making this. Thank you to everyone watching and laughing with us.”
Her team hinted that she remains optimistic about the show’s performance and is already in talks with Hulu about future collaborations.
Why All’s Fair Still Matters for Hulu?
Even amid controversy, All’s Fair marks a milestone for Hulu and Ryan Murphy’s ongoing deal with the streamer. The show continues Murphy’s exploration of powerful women and social satire — a space he’s dominated for over a decade.
Streaming analyst Erica Shin commented on its commercial significance:
“For Hulu, this isn’t just about reviews. It’s about brand visibility. The fact that people are talking about All’s Fair nonstop — good or bad — means it’s doing what modern streaming content is supposed to do: generate conversation.”
The show’s long-term success will depend on audience retention across its weekly rollout, culminating in a two-part finale on December 9, 2025.
Final Takeaway
All’s Fair may be facing harsh reviews, but it’s also achieved what most shows can only dream of — dominating the cultural conversation. Whether seen as a misfire or misunderstood satire, the series demonstrates the ongoing tension between critical perception and audience appetite in the streaming age.
Ryan Murphy and Kim Kardashian’s experiment in glossy legal drama might have stumbled out of the gate, but it’s already secured a place in 2025’s most talked-about TV moments.
FAQs
It’s a legal dramedy following an all-female Los Angeles law firm that handles celebrity divorce cases.
Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts, Sarah Paulson, Niecy Nash-Betts, Glenn Close, and Teyana Taylor.
Ten episodes, with new ones dropping weekly until December 9, 2025.
Director Anthony Hemingway said the show “holds a mirror up to each person who watches it” and defended its comedic tone.
Hulu has not announced a renewal yet, but strong viewership could influence the decision.
It currently sits at 6% from critics and 64% from audiences.
