On March 26, 2025, the Hulu series Good American Family took a dark turn in its third episode, "Ghosts Everywhere," revealing the escalating tensions within the Barnett family as they grappled with the unsettling reality surrounding their adopted daughter, Natalia Grace. The episode showcases Kristine Barnett, portrayed by Ellen Pompeo, as she begins to unravel a disturbing narrative that questions Natalia's true identity.
Throughout the episode, Kristine's suspicions intensify when she discovers socks stained with blood hidden in Natalia's closet. This shocking find is compounded by a bloodied tampon spotted on the living room floor during a local TV news interview. Kristine's concerns lead her to consult the family’s primary care doctor, who, haunted by his previous misdiagnosis of their oldest child, supports Kristine's fears and recommends a series of specialists for Natalia.
In a stark contrast to Kristine’s approach, Michael Barnett, played by Mark Duplass, attempts a more therapeutic method, treating Natalia like a baby to instill trust and love. However, the tension is palpable as Michael grapples with his own deception about his job status, which adds another layer of complexity to their already strained relationship.
As the Barnetts prepare for their national television debut, the conflict between Kristine and Michael reaches a boiling point. In the green room, accusations fly as Michael threatens to expose Kristine's treatment of Natalia, while Kristine retaliates with threats of her own, all the while maintaining a facade of a perfect family. The episode cleverly plays with audience sympathies, framing Kristine's actions as logical and necessary, despite the moral ambiguity surrounding their treatment of Natalia.
The show, created by the team behind the acclaimed drama The Affair, employs a unique narrative style that shifts perspectives, allowing viewers to experience the unfolding drama from multiple angles. This technique is reminiscent of the storytelling found in The Affair, which explored complex human relationships through differing viewpoints. Sarah Sutherland, an executive producer of Good American Family, emphasized the importance of this perspective-driven narrative, noting that the inspiration stemmed from the varied accounts surrounding the true story of Natalia Grace.
Sutherland explained, "Katie Robbins, who created it, and we co-showrun together — we actually met on The Affair — and I take that as a huge compliment that you were able to spot that. Everybody had fairly different perspectives on what happened, and so she had this idea to sort of use the Rashomon-style perspective to explore that." This narrative choice not only enriches the viewing experience but also mirrors the real-life complexities surrounding the Barnetts and Natalia.
As the episode progresses, viewers are introduced to the chilling parallels between the Barnett family's story and the horror film The Orphan, which had been released before the Barnetts began sharing their narrative. The writers intentionally included nods to the film, adding a layer of meta-commentary that enhances the eerie atmosphere of the episode. Sutherland remarked, "We wanted to nod to that without making assumptions that we can’t possibly make." This clever integration of cultural references adds depth to the storytelling.
The character of Detective Drysdale, introduced in the episode, is based on a composite of real-life figures involved in the case, further blurring the lines between fiction and reality. Sutherland confirmed that while the portrayal is dramatized, it closely resembles actual events, providing a sense of authenticity to the narrative.
One of the most striking elements of the episode is its exploration of Natalia's behavior. Scenes in the doctor’s office present her outbursts in a dual light, allowing viewers to interpret them as either the actions of a distressed child or the manipulative behavior of a sociopath. This ambiguity is intentional, as the writers aimed to engage the audience in the moral dilemmas faced by the Barnetts.
As the episode nears its conclusion, Kristine's relationship with her son Jacob adds another layer of complexity. Jacob confronts Kristine about her on-camera persona, suggesting that she is being disingenuous. This moment of vulnerability for Kristine reveals the internal conflict she faces, oscillating between her desire for fame and the reality of her actions.
The episode culminates in a tense confrontation between Kristine and Michael, where they confront the ghosts of their past and the realities of their failing marriage. Their argument serves as a poignant reminder of the emotional toll that the adoption saga has taken on their lives. Sutherland noted that the scene was crafted to reflect the complexity of their relationship, where both characters believe they are justified in their actions, yet are deeply flawed in their approaches.
Meanwhile, the real-life implications of Natalia Grace's story continue to unfold. Originally born in Ukraine in 2003, she was adopted by Dyan and Gary Ciccone before being taken in by Kristine and Michael Barnett in 2010. The Barnetts later alleged that Natalia was an adult posing as a child, leading to a highly publicized trial that captured national attention. In 2012, the Barnetts controversially petitioned to change Natalia's birth records, claiming she was born in 1989, which legally altered her age from eight to twenty-two.
Following the Barnetts' legal battles, Natalia was left to live independently while the Barnetts relocated to Canada. She subsequently found support from Antwon and Cynthia Mans, who became her guardians after she faced numerous challenges. The Barnetts were ultimately charged with neglecting a dependent, but Michael was acquitted, and the case against Kristine was dismissed.
Today, Natalia Grace is living in upstate New York with a new adoptive family and has opened up about her experiences. In a recent interview, she expressed gratitude for her survival, stating, "It’s a blessing to be alive today because looking back at my 7-year-old self, I should have been dead." Her journey continues to resonate with audiences, drawing attention to the complexities of adoption and the responsibilities that come with it.
As the series progresses, viewers can expect a deeper exploration of Natalia's perspective in the upcoming episodes, promising to shed new light on the events that have captivated the public's imagination.
