A Friend of the Family: Limited Series

92% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 80% Audience Score 50+ Ratings The harrowing true story of the Broberg family, whose young daughter Jan was kidnapped multiple times in the 1970s by a charismatic, obsessed family "friend." Devoted to their faith, family and community, the Brobergs were unprepared for the sophisticated tactics their neighbor used to exploit their vulnerabilities, drive them apart and turn their daughter against them, permanently altering their lives. And while many are apt to place blame on the parents, Jan Broberg Felt came to their defense in 2019 when she tweeted, "...my parents saved my life. They're the bravest people I know, willing to try to help the rest of you see what they didn't. That is the only reason we told our story." Read More Read Less

Where to Watch

A Friend of the Family — Limited Series

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Prime Video

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Buy A Friend of the Family — Limited Series on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

A Friend of the Family — Limited Series

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Unspooling like a slow-motion nightmare, A Friend of the Family benefits immeasurably from Eliza Hittman's deft direction and Jake Lacy's unflinching portrayal of insidious evil.

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Critics Reviews

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A Friend of the Family: Limited Series | Rotten Tomatoes (1)

Wenlei Ma

PerthNow

That it can be frustrating viewing means it’s effective, evoking strong feelings and quiet moments of discomfort.

Nov 6, 2023

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A Friend of the Family: Limited Series | Rotten Tomatoes (2)

Steve Greene

indieWire

Amidst a sea of real-life stories of manipulation and grief and predation being turned into TV series, A Friend of the Family is one that stands out because it’s not constructed in that way.

Rated: B+

Oct 7, 2022

Full Review

A Friend of the Family: Limited Series | Rotten Tomatoes (3)

James Jackson

Times (UK)

Grim subject matter it may be, but the first episode is absorbingly told, with strong turns by Anna Paquin as Jan’s mum and Colin Hanks...

Oct 7, 2022

Full Review

A Friend of the Family: Limited Series | Rotten Tomatoes (4)

Jorge Loser

Espinof

A Friend of the Family is a great drama about a family that manages to overcome something terrible and arrives at a place of forgiveness and healing where the monster loses its power over them... [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Mar 7, 2023

Full Review

A Friend of the Family: Limited Series | Rotten Tomatoes (5)

Kristy Strouse

Film Inquiry

This is a series that features some of the best performances and filmmaking on television this year, but it’s also a relentless nightmare to take in.

Nov 26, 2022

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A Friend of the Family: Limited Series | Rotten Tomatoes (6)

Charlotte Harrison

Charlotte Sometimes Goes to the Movies

A mind-boggling story that has to be seen to be believed.

Oct 31, 2022

Full Review

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Audience Reviews

View All (22) audience reviews

Gareth v A story well worth telling, only problem is it padded out way too much and could of been a couple of episodes shorter. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/08/24 Full Review Shaz S Extremely well told, confronting story, with a fantastic cast. A fascinating watch. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/14/24 Full Review Abigail A THIS CANT BE REAL LIFE! THESE PEOPLE ARE THAT STUPID? THEY LET A FREAK 40YR BI POLAR CULT MEMBER MAN KIDNAP THEIR 10YR OLD DAUGHTER MULTIPLE TIMES AND MARRY HER? GTFO Rated 1/5 Stars • Rated 1 out of 5 stars 12/20/23 Full Review Carolin D This show was great. Wonderful pacing, acting; everything was on point. Very intense, of course. The series gets you crying so hard, but actually it just gives you all emotions possible, amplified to an eleven. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/28/23 Full Review Michael C To think people in 1974 were this dumb is an insult. How can anyone allow their child to be with anyone after 1 day when the child was supposed to be returned home is beyond me. Even if its true it plays on people not being good parents. Rated 1/5 Stars • Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Himura K Great acting and incredible story., only too long. There are too many uninteresting scenes that don't contribute to the story, usually accompanied by period songs. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews

A Friend of the Family — Limited Series

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

Anna Paquin Mary Ann Broberg Jake Lacy Robert "B" Berchtold Colin Hanks Bob Broberg Lio Tipton Gail Berchtold Mckenna Grace Jan Broberg Hendrix Yancey Young Jan Broberg

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Oct 6, 2022 Horseback Riding in American Falls A trusted family friend picks up Jan after school to go horseback riding, but as nightfall looms and they're still not home, what seemed like a casual afternoon slowly turns nightmarish. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 6, 2022 The Mission The search for Jan escalates as the Brobergs call in the FBI; Jan is tasked with a disturbing life-or-death responsibility. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 6, 2022 The Gift of Tongues The Berchtolds and Brobergs grow closer, but as Mary Ann and the girls fall under the spell of their fun-loving neighbor, Bob sees him as a threat. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 6, 2022 Articles of Faith The Brobergs fight to restore normalcy as they prepare to face B. in court; Jan's anxiety about the mission snowballs with time; Mary Ann's unanswered questions about Mexico and growing disconnect with Bob lead her to a gut-wrenching decision. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 6, 2022 The Bitter Cup When the Brobergs' marriage is thrown into jeopardy, Bob and Mary Ann must face the terrible consequences of their mistakes; B. strengthens his sinister hold over Jan. Details Episode 6 Aired Oct 6, 2022 Son of Perdition In Jackson Hole, Jan finds herself overwhelmed by the demands of the mission; Bob and Mary Ann organize an aggressive legal strategy to bring her home. Details Episode 7 Aired Oct 6, 2022 The Great Deceiver Jan goes missing again and the FBI's hands are tied, but the Brobergs press on in their search for answers; the case takes a heavy toll on Pete as he digs deeper into B.'s past; Jan learns to blend in a strange new environment. Details Episode 8 Aired Oct 6, 2022 Outer Darkness Mary Ann prepares for a high-stakes showdown; Pete works double time to find Jan, disobeying direct orders; worn down by fear and secrecy, Jan nears a breaking point. Details Episode 9 Aired Oct 6, 2022 Revelation With Jan home, Bob and Mary Ann take steps toward healing, but as her 16th birthday approaches and the mission reaches its do-or-die moment, Jan prepares for the worst. Details

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