Good American Family

Years ago I watched Kendall Rae cover this case on her YouTube channel and was blown away by the entire story. The first two episodes of GAF have hooked my interest in much the same way.

Ellen Pompeo never disappoints and is playing her part meticulously well, but I'm also impressed with Imogen Reid's depiction of Natalia Grace. The fluctuations between vulnerable, innocent child, seeking love, and unhinged (potentially older) woman seeking to cause relational rifts in the family, are enough to give the viewer whiplash.

I also want to give kudos on the casting of Jacob (Aias Dalman), an actually autistic actor, who is playing his role superbly too. As an autistic person myself, I love to see autistic actors getting these opportunities.

At two episodes in, I am most certainly committed to the rest of the series. Knowing the case, I have some idea of how things will go, but I'm sure there will still be surprises. I'm looking forward to seeing this unfold.

"Good American Family" is a gripping American drama-thriller series, inspired by the true story of Natalia Grace and her adoption by Kristine (Ellen Pompeo) and Michael Barnett (Mark Duplass).

Natalia, a child with dwarfism, is abandoned by the Barnetts after displaying strange behavior. Sound familiar?

It echoes a plot twist from the 2009 horror film "Orphan," which was based on the real-life case of Estonian imposter Barbora Skrlová. The unsettling premise taps into our darkest fears, but this series dives deeper into a much more twisted narrative.

While the story begins in 2010, the truth unfolds in a shocking series of revelations.

What initially seems like a straightforward tale quickly morphs into something more complex, shedding light on a deeper, far darker reality. After the success of a popular docuseries, the inevitable narrative adaptation has arrived.

If you're unfamiliar with the details of the Grace case, it's best to dive in blind-this show is a masterclass in twisting allegiances and testing your judgment.

The first episodes might make you cringe, but as Natalia's character shifts from antagonist to protagonist, the story evolves into something much more than just a rehash of Orphan.

It's a mix of crime drama-thriller, and satire, with a he-said-she-said dynamic that keeps you hooked, episode after episode.

If you're ready for a binge-worthy, mind-bending rollercoaster, "Good American Family" is not to be missed.

I started watching this without knowing anything about Natalia Grace. I didn't know any of the details regarding this case. I am really enjoying it so far. I've already watched three episodes and I think the acting is really great.. I have no idea what the outcome is and will probably watch the Hulu "Natalia speaks " series. It's a very strange story the way she was adopted, etc. I'm looking forward to the fourth episode next week.

My review is too short and I don't know what else to say, but give it a try with an open mind. Ignore the negative reviews if you're looking for something to watch because I've seen everything, i'm enjoying this.

I'm on episode 5. When they dropped the adopted off at her own place and to see her struggle was unsettling. Total transparency. I have abandonment issues from childhood. To see her in that element was cringing to me. So far the series is intense. I couldn't finish the episode as of yet. To get that type of reaction from the audience is amazing. Unfortunately there isn't anything warm hearted about the show. I think the acting is convincing. The actor playing the "dwarf", is convincing. I never watched Grey's Anatomy, but the lead actress has this gravitational pull. She draws you in and very unpredictable.

Wanted to like this. For the most part, I'm unconvinced by the characterizations, which are in need of nuance. I was hoping to see a fresh role for Pompeo, but her delivery is similar to her longtime performance in "Grey's Anatomy". Same voice, similar expressions, and convenient charms. Some of the emotional transitions for Duplass feel rushed and formulaic. Considering that I'm having challenges early on, I'm reminded that this series will endure for 8 episodes. The script feels flimsy, and it's disappointing because the real life story is intriguing. It's hard to know what really happened behind closed doors in the Barnett household after they adopted Natalia Grace. As a result, we're presented with some scenarios which don't ring true. Finally, a quick tech note: the score for this series is heavy handed. When the production wants the viewer to feel threatened or sentimental, the music works overtime to make sure we get the gist.