Almost Family (2019–2020) User Reviews (57)

Leon's a problem

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 23 February 2020]

In New York City, Julia Bechley (Brittany Snow) hates her job working for her fertility doctor dad Leon Bechley (Timothy Hutton). Suddenly, he's accused of fathering many children without consent. Edie Palmer (Megalyn Echikunwoke) and Roxy Doyle (Emily Osment) are two of those children. Edie's mom is a family friend but the girls are rivals. Edie and her husband Tim are criminal defence attorneys working at the same firm. Tim is also Julia's ex-boyfriend. Roxy is a retired gymnast angry at her parents and her fading fame at the age of 30. Edie reluctantly takes Leon's case and faces off against prosecutor Amanda Doherty.

I like the women and the female relationships but there is something wrong with the show. It's Leon. It is interesting to try to give him depth but he needs to be an uncomplicated villain. It might be even better if he escaped to another country. Leon needs to be a creepy idea rather than a real character. It really pops up during the trial when his victims start testifying. The show can never get to that point. He can't have real contact with the girls. He can't do his delusional rantings. He needs to be out of the picture.

On the fence

[nancyldraper · 6/10 · 4 October 2019]

I'm on the fence with this new series. It has an interesting premise but I can't figure out if it wants to be a drama or a broad comedy (and if it is a broad comedy, I'm out of here). The actors are certainly able to produce dramatic characters, and there are moments in this pilot that prove that, but both the Julia and the Roxy characters veer towards caricature rather than full bodied people. (Emily Osment has some pretty serious singing talent, though, as does Brittany Snow.) I hope the series self corrects, but, at this point, I give the series a 5 (on the fence) out of 10. {Comedy? Drama?}

It's not great

[brookenichole-98054 · 5/10 · 18 January 2020]

It's entertaining enough to watch. But, it's just meh. It gets boring at some parts. The concept is great. The acting is bad. The characters are terrible and can be annoying. I will still finish it though.

This could do with better directing

[florin-radu-343-900094 · 7/10 · 23 October 2019]

It is touching, funny, bittersweet, all that you would hope for, but it entirely falls onto Emily Osment. She pulls all the weight, with some occasional support from Timothy Hutton. Everybody else is just complacently tagging around with no valuable contribution. There is not much future expectation from a show that is so heavily reliant on one actor's performance. The rest of the crew need a wake up call, they add little value to the mix, simply reading their lines like a it was an obituary. Excellent story, nullified by totally poor engagement of actors. It really needs a completely different tackle, the current one does not deliver.

So glad I disregarded the negative reviews as always

[AdrienneGrayceMusic · 10/10 · 7 October 2019]

I realize that the people ragging this show are in categories: 1.... Those who are comparing it to some aussie show (which who cares, anyways...thats what we do. Shameless is a ripoff too. So what??) and 2.....People who hate the lead actress' new red hair. (really? rate it low because you don't like the color of someones hair? yikes. ) So I disregarded those reviews all together. I decided it was worth it, since I am a big fan of Emily Osment. So glad to see her on the small screen again, as she is very underrated. I wasn't sure if I would like this or not, but I absolutely do. I love the cast, I love the premise, and I can't wait to see what else is in store for this and how it plays out. Yes, the show is a bit far fetched but come on, its tv, used for entertainment value. I don't care if it has similarities to other shows, I don't care about the color of someones hair, and i don't care that this show is a cross between a drama and comedy. Its very good. Its funny, well-acted, and keeps you interested. I've been reviewing tv shows and movies on here since IMDB came out. Im a tv and movie junky and know my stuff!

This show started with great premise, great chemistry, but...

[jneponsixt · 7/10 · 24 December 2019]

...it has descended a bit into standard prime time soap opera fare. I like Brittany Snow a lot, and adore her red hair - perfect foil for those blue eyes. I think the actors are all good. What's missing is something that makes this more than a one story show - in other words, how do you sustain it past one season?

That said, we're hooked, and are continuing to watch. I would not be surprised if it wasn't picked up for another season, though. I'm just not sensing the excitement around it.

Too bad.

Tacky

[kath1967 · 2/10 · 5 April 2021]

Australian version 100% better, only watched 15 minutes & had to turn off.

Moving up on my list big time

[optiminer · 10/10 · 1 December 2019]

Wasn't sure about this show, episode 1 was great. 2&3 seemed to drag but since Im really loving it. It's quickly moving up my list of my list watch shows!

Trashy clone of a good aussie series.

[kenhymesmusic · 3/10 · 3 October 2019]

Almost Family is a remake of a great quirky Aussie show called Sisters. Structurally it's a clone. In tone it's a travesty. The dialogue is absurd, totally unbelievable interactions. All the quirk, the sense of a small but interesting world, is sucked out and replaced with run of the mill nonsense. If you don't like the way a show works, why remake it? There are some good American shows happening, this one is a complete waste of your eyeballs.

???Wtf is wrong with people???

[brandonbray-35698 · 9/10 · 25 October 2019]

It's good ASF I don't understand where all the hate comes from 😂 I feel like those are boring people or people that have no sense of humor. I find the show is adorable and funny, and has heart. It's not something award deserving of anything. But it's a fun watch.

Predictable Americanisied version

[stevelamprey-47414 · 2/10 · 27 March 2021]

Hopefully one day we will get a show which is original and not woke. Reasonable acting corny script apparently its a comedy!

Great show

[saalwix · 10/10 · 8 October 2019]

Finally a great show Nothing to do with singing or taking off a mask Thank you Fox

Why?

[christa-pelc · 3/10 · 2 December 2019]

Is this "good American drama"? The premises is a man who embarrassed himself and his family, and breaks his medical oath. The female leads either have drug addiction problems, constantly have sex with multiple men, and is considering leaving her husband for a woman. And instead of fighting for their own respect and fighting to encourage each other, they each basque in their own embarrassment, and somehow we call this television.

Really like this one

[byars-via · 10/10 · 19 October 2019]

I see a lot of potential for this show-there's a good mix of drama and comedy without them glossing over the whole Beckley indiscretion. So I hope it continues in its streak.

not sure what this pile is

[meanolddrunk · 2/10 · 3 October 2019]

Not sure what this, comedy, drama, heck i dunno. i can say this it was the equivalent of watching a liter box getting changed. stupid plot, stupid sub-plots, uninteresting characters. i find it hard to believe this waste can of effort was even green lighted. the show should be on tombstone tuesday, as belongs buried... way underground

I honestly really like it.

[AnonymousFilmLover26 · 8/10 · 11 October 2019]

Yes, yes, this is an American remake of the Australian show "Sisters"...just like Showtime remade the UK's "Shameless".

That aside, although it's a bit corny in parts, I think the main 3 sisters have pretty good chemistry. I'm done for already, hooked. The show isn't entirely a comedy but it's not quite a full drama. I would classify this as a contemporary dramedy; made especially interesting because of the alternative pregnancy clinic angle. "Almost Family" raises questions surrounding IVF in a natural and entertaining way, (no pun intended) and although it's not perfect, it's not too preachy or too predictable, thanks to the 3 talented leading ladies. (Brittany Snow, Megan Echinowoke and Emily Osment)

My only quibble is Roxy, at this point (played by Emily Osment) is given the majority of the clever lines. Without her the show is definitely more dramatic. Here's to hoping though, that the show becomes a bit more balanced in the future, if they're going for a dramedy vibe.

Started out interesting

[jaredd · 5/10 · 12 January 2021]

I think I could perhaps rate about the first half of the season a 7 but the last half gets a 5 or lower. The premise was interesting: donors, genetic testing and all these people being related to each other. But it wasn't too long before the writers lost their way and fell into the same tired tropes of relationship mush. Yes, there was a little bit of of the story to be found each episode, but not much. After a while I realized the only reason I tuned in was for the eye candy.

Great show!!!

[jefcind · 10/10 · 8 November 2019]

Glad to have found this show on Hulu! Only 3 episodes so far and I've binge watched them and have enjoyed them all!!

Watch Sisters on Netflix instead

[Misty_Fox · 4/10 · 14 January 2020]

This show is pretty crappy compared to the original

Awesome show

[marquezmiriam · 10/10 · 7 October 2019]

1 episode in and I'm already hooked can't wait to see the next episode.

Save your time and watch the Australian version

[joeschmou · 1/10 · 6 October 2019]

This is basically a copy of the Australian version called Sisters without the charm and quirkiness of the original. In it's place is an american version that feels like almost any other drama show on TV. Hopefully they can steer it back to what made this a great show in Australia

Worth it.

[jessieannlove-60241 · 10/10 · 6 October 2019]

Excellent cast and show. Love it! 10/10 reccomend checking it out. Very interesting topic and extremely relevant within the time today!

This is the same as the Australian show sister

[mummybearfamilydaycare · 1/10 · 5 October 2019]

So disappointed started watching this and realised I had watched this show Already. This is the USA version of the Australian show Sisters. Not happy

Love the actors!!

[stacywoodruff-95747 · 10/10 · 3 October 2019]

I enjoyed this first episode, the three female leads are the best!

What happen to the rest of season 1?!

[bossbrii · 2/10 · 12 November 2019]

I was interested in watching this tv show until after 3 episodes it just didnt come on.. Who airs 3 episodes of a season and then nothing for weeks?! If your goal was to lose viewers, you accomplished that!!