In the new legal‑drama series All’s Fair, a powerhouse female ensemble led by Kim Kardashian seeks to reclaim agency in the world of high‑stakes divorce law. With legends such as Glenn Close and Sarah Paulson by her side, the show was poised as a bold “girl‑boss” moment for television.
Yet from its premiere, All’s Fair faced an unusually fierce critical backlash. The Guardian pegged it as “fascinatingly, incomprehensibly, existentially terrible,” going so far as to assign a zero‑star rating — one of the rarest marks the outlet has issued. Many other critics followed, pointing to clunky dialogue, shallow character development, and a brand‑obsessed aesthetic that undercut the show’s empowerment narrative. Indeed, one review lamented that the intended “female empowerment” feels outdone by the excesses of conspicuous consumption and thin plotting.
Interestingly, the cast itself seems unfazed. Glenn Close, in public remarks, defended the show’s merit and praised Kardashian’s on‑set demeanor: “She always knew her lines… had no pretensions that she was a great actress,” Close said, and suggested that part of the critical heat stems from the Kardashians’ controversial cultural standing. The show’s director Anthony Hemingway echoed this: “It may not be for you… but that does not define it.”
From a “Girl Power” perspective, the story carries multiple layers. On one hand, All’s Fair embodies the ideal: women leading a firm, reclaiming narrative space, fronting a major streaming production. On the other hand, the execution appears to stumble, raising questions: Does representation alone suffice? Can the trappings of female empowerment survive if the script and storytelling feel hollow? And how much does public perception (especially of women who have built their brand outside traditional acting) influence critical recoil?
The larger takeaway: executions of “women in power” narratives must still deliver substance — character, conflict, authenticity — to resonate beyond mere symbolism. For Kim Kardashian, this may be an inflection point: a major starring role that forces the doors open but demands she prove the craft behind the star.
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