'Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair' Review
- Tiffany McLaughlin
- Apr 15
- 2 min read
Limited Series.
Aired On: Hulu on Disney+.
Release Date: 04/10/26.
Genre: Comedy. Drama.
The Verdict: A Must-See
In this most recent wave of revivals including King of the Hill and Scrubs, it was only a matter of time before the sequel slop train picked up Malcolm in the Middle for a four part Hulu special. It is a show I desperately loved growing up, and still love now for its unique draw of depicting a relatable family dysfunction, but mostly… Frankie Muniz.
Life’s Still Unfair has us meet back up with the family twenty years after Malcolm and Reese graduate high school, and fans of the finale will appreciate the resolution of Malcolm going to Harvard, Lois’ positive pregnancy test, and Franics seemingly becoming responsible.
What was so special about the original show was that at its core, this family is completely unable to properly communicate through words, but rather through their crazy antics led by their distinct personalities. The revival faithfully recaptures this dynamic. For example, adult Malcolm lives in constant fear of disappointing everyone. Just because he left his chaotic family home does not mean he isn’t living with heaps of trauma.
I will admit, it warmed my heart seeing so much of the original cast effortlessly floating back into their roles. Initially, I wasn’t even phased by the news that Dewey’s actor would be replaced. But unfortunately, that’s what stuck out to me the most while watching. The vibe was just off. I almost wish they would have written him off entirely or relinquished the character to a text-only off camera punchline, which would totally fit Dewey’s style anyway. Even with newcomers in the cast, Dewey’s recasting is the only thing that really tarnished what is otherwise a familiar family dynamic. There’s so many cute cameos too from minor side characters that appear in the final episode. Even if it doesn’t make total sense for them to even be all together the way they are, it really does put a cherry on top of this heartfelt reunion.
Where to Watch:
