A Friend of the Family

Based on actual events, this Peacock original is excellent retelling the harrowing story of Jan Broberg, and her 2 childhood abductions by Robert Berchtold. The casting was very well done with Hendrix Yancey as Jan Broberg at 12 yrs old, Anna Paquin as Gail Broberg and Colin Hanks as Bob Broberg, Jan's parents, Lio Tipton as Gail Berchtold and Jake Lacy as Robert 'B' Berchtold. Honestly, it's only been 4 episodes but I am really enjoying how well it has played out so far, not shying away from the uglier parts of the story. Mckenna Grace's episodes have not even aired yet so I don't how other posters on here can critique her acting. Jake Lacy should be nominated for an Emmy portraying the seductive and manipulating 'B'. He has delivered a strong, believable, and cringeworthy performance. Unfortunately, pedophilia has always been timelessly present in our society and isn't going anywhere. Thanks to Jan Broberg and her family for allowing her account to be told and courageously shared from so many decades ago.

How stupid were this parents?

Even if you're religious, even if you're in the 60s, even if you are frustrated in your marriage, their behavior in every second of this episodes just makes me anxious and frustrated.

The poor girl was living under the worst anxiety daily thinking that she was on a mission and was about to be visited by monsters from another planet. A lie created by that lunatic and criminal.

The main guilty person here is the kidnapper indeed. But for example, her mother was about to stay away from that family as the FBI asked and she was all the time wanting to hear the kidnapper's voice and wanted to have sex with him.

The show is well done cause it really shows how stupid this people was and makes you mad while watching.

Some reviewers can't understand how these ppl were so naive and why they handled things the way they did. This happened in a whole other time. There was no internet to learn from. The 6 p.m. News didn't teach about pedophiles. Ppl generally thought ppl were good and trusted those they went to church with. These ppl had no clue how to deal with this or what to do. Ppl didn't have social media to share their stories and teach others.

Children were more easy to manipulate back then than now.

I also don't understand the negative comments about Anna Paquin's acting. I thought she did a great job. She was portraying how many family oriented, religious women behaved back then.

This story is really freaky and it makes me cross, which means the movie did its job causing an emotional reaction. The brainwashing and psychology involved is portrayed well, and is sickening, although not surprising given the storyline. So wrong and so icky, and that vanilla generation with secrets behind closed doors --it's obvious manipulation based upon control and lies that calm the masses to allow the unbelievable to happen. The actors are fabulous. The writing and directing are both spot on. Well done, well done and I think everyone should watch this...and let's hope as a society this layer of clouded belief subsides. I hope the victim(s) don't suffer repercussions for some of the truth revealed and I applaud the main victim for even allowing the story to be told. Hanks, Lacy, Yancey, Grace, Paquin, and Tipton alll give stellar performances.

Aside from the fact this is a True story if this was fiction it would Still be shocking ..very in depth in gives you a interesting perspective on a story most of us haven't known I appreciate how well this was out together and easy to follow.. at times during this it was hard to believe some of these events occurred.

This is one of those shows Thts gonna have you remember plus also gives a you a look of how ppl views things in the 1970s .. the parents in this show start to make you mad but at times. Hard to believe they let this dude infiltrate they're whole family..this is highly recommended.