Prepare to be underwhelmed: Ryan Murphy’s latest offering, Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr & Carolyn Bessette, is a nine-episode saga that feels as interminable as it is uninspired. But here’s where it gets controversial: while Murphy’s track record includes hits like Nip/Tuck and Glee, this series lands closer to the cringe-worthy territory of All’s Fair—Kim Kardashian’s ill-fated divorce drama. Could this be the moment Murphy’s magic fades? And this is the part most people miss: for a UK audience, the Kennedy mystique simply doesn’t translate. Unlike Americans, who’ve long treated the Kennedys as their own royal family, British viewers might find themselves asking, ‘Who are these people again?’
Let’s break it down. John F. Kennedy Jr., affectionately known as John-John, was the son of President JFK, whose tragic assassination thrust the young boy into the public eye at just three years old. Carolyn Bessette, a former Calvin Klein executive, became his wife in 1996, though their marriage was cut short in 1999 when the plane John was piloting crashed off Martha’s Vineyard. Their story, inspired by Connor Hines’ book Once Upon a Time, had all the makings of a Murphy masterpiece: class tension, media obsession, and undeniable glamour. But somewhere along the way, the spark fizzled.
The series attempts to capture the couple’s whirlwind romance, from their meet-cute at an Amazon fundraiser to their struggles with fame, paparazzi, and Bessette’s rumored drug use. Yet, what should be a gripping narrative feels like a tedious slog. Scenes drag on endlessly, and the dialogue—‘She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met’—falls flat, leaving viewers yearning for the escapism Murphy usually delivers. Even the performances, particularly Naomi Watts’s portrayal of Jackie Onassis and Dree Hemingway’s Darryl Hannah, feel like caricatures rather than characters.
Here’s the real question: Is this series a misstep, or a sign of Murphy’s formula growing stale? For a creator known for his razzle-dazzle, Love Story feels surprisingly lifeless. And while it might not resonate with UK audiences, will it fare better stateside? Or is Murphy’s empire due for a quality check? One thing’s certain: this isn’t the love story you’ll want to binge. But what do you think? Is this a worthy addition to Murphy’s catalog, or a forgettable flop? Let’s debate in the comments—no holds barred.
