By Sarah Osman

A surprisingly heartfelt reboot that revives the show’s chaotic charm, even if some of the family sparks are missing.

Frankie Muniz and Emy Coligado in a scene from Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair. Photo: Hulu

I didn’t grow up watching Malcolm in the Middle. I had no desire to watch a show about idiot boys. Since I was often quiet and sat next to idiot boys in school, I had no desire to watch more of their antics when I got home.

So, when Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, a four-part follow-up to Malcolm in the Middle, was announced, my husband suggested that we watch the original. The sitcom had been a key part of his childhood, and he wanted to share it with me. To my surprise, Malcolm in the Middle turned out to be a smart, clever show focused on the reality of growing up in a working-class family. As a former high school teacher, I related to Lois (Jane Kaczmarek), Malcolm’s stressed mother, as she tried to wrangle four (later five) sons. I loved that Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) could break the fourth wall, his social ineptitude compounded by his nerdy friends. I was stunned by Bryan Cranston, whom I had only seen in dramatic roles. As the dad, Hal, he skated to disco and competed in speed walking. I appreciated how the teenage boys behaved like actual teenage boys. And, despite the family’s wild antics, the series maintained a lot of heart.

Still, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, especially since I still haven’t finished viewing Malcolm in the Middle. The new series takes place now, some twenty years after the original ended. Hal and Lois are enjoying a much quieter life with their non-binary teenager, Kelly (Vaughan Murrae). They’re currently planning their 40th anniversary party, and in the meantime, Hal is proclaiming his love in outrageous ways (I love Hal’s passion for Lois). Francis (Christopher Masterson) is still happily married to Piama (Emy Coligado). Reese (Justin Berfield) is still a hot mess; she has been married multiple times and doesn’t seem to have found employment. Dewey (now played by Caleb Ellsworth-Clark) has become a successful musician touring in Europe, and Jamie (Anthony Timpano) is member of the Coast Guard.

As for the titular Malcolm, he’s the successful CEO of a non-profit and the recipient of multiple degrees. His teenage daughter, Leah (Keeley Karsten), has inherited his brains and, unfortunately, his social ineptitude. In a fun callback to the original, both Malcolm and Leah speak directly to the camera. To protect Leah from his family — and to keep his own sanity — Malcolm has not gone to a family event in years. Instead, he prefers to communicate via email, using his work in a nonprofit as an excuse for why he’s never present at gatherings. Malcolm is feeling fine: he has a great job and daughter, and a solid girlfriend, Tristan (Kiana Madeira). But that all changes once his family demands his presence at his parents’ anniversary.

Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair serves up as many hijinks as its predecessor. I laughed out loud multiple times, particularly at the physical comedy when Cranston is involved — he goes on quite the trip in the third episode. The revival draws on the quick cuts that marked the original series and, thankfully, never veers into the kind of awkward humor favored by more recent sitcoms. A few characters from the original series pop up, and they pretty much act exactly how you would expect them to.

While it’s wonderful seeing the old gang back together, the real stand-out is Karsten. Her Leah is infused with an intense neurosis that rivals Malcolm’s. The character’s comments to the camera are highly amusing, particularly deflationary lines like “I knew I’d be great at flirting!” Malcolm’s social ineptness, when projected onto a teenage girl, produces distinctly dark humor. But, unlike Malcolm, Leah is more caring and not as selfish. I would love to see a spin-off series focused on Leah, with the rest of the family popping in and out.

My one complaint with the revival is how little we see Malcolm and Dewey interact with their family. In Dewey’s case, the character is played by a new actor, which may partly explain his limited appearances. But it took a while for Malcolm and his family to face off, and the decision to hold back the confrontation didn’t work. Also missing: scenes between the brothers. Malcolm and Reese’s sparring was one of the funniest bits in the original, so it seemed odd that there were so few dueling matches in this reboot.

Still, Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair is on the successful end of reboots. It is not as strong as the new season of King of the Hill, it’s far from the disastrous Sex and the City continuation, And Just Like That. Will we get to spend more time with Malcolm and his family? Who knows? But I’d welcome more adventures—even though life’s still unfair.

Sarah Mina Osman is based in Los Angeles. In addition to The Arts Fuse, her writing can be found in The Huffington Post, Success Magazine, Matador Network, HelloGiggles, Business Insider, and WatchMojo. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and is working on her first novel. She has a deep appreciation for sloths and tacos. You can keep up with her on Instagram @SarahMinaOsman and at Bluesky @sarahminaosman.bsky.social.