Malcolm in the Middle Fans Defend Hulu Revival After ‘Woke’ Backlash

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Frankie Muniz has returned to play Malcolm in a four-part revival of Malcolm in the Middle, now available on Hulu. While most viewers seem to enjoy it, some on social media have criticized the show, claiming it pushes a so-called “woke agenda.”

The updated version of the show introduces Kelly, the youngest child of Hal and Lois, played by non-binary actor Vaughan Murrae, who uses they/them pronouns. The series also reveals that Malcolm’s friend Stevie is now an adult in a gay relationship. Some viewers on X (formerly Twitter) have expressed disappointment with this inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters, labeling it as “woke.”

Malcolm in the Middle Gets Revived by Hulu

I’ve been seeing a lot of chatter online, particularly on X, about the Malcolm in the Middle revival, and honestly, I’m inclined to agree with one commenter who put it perfectly. They feel, and I’m starting to feel the same way, that the original ending was perfect and this follow-up just doesn’t land. It feels forced, like they’re desperately trying to cram every current social issue into just four episodes, and it comes across as… well, awkward. It’s a shame, because the original was so good, but this just feels a little too ‘woke’ for its own good.

Someone else complained that Disney negatively impacted the show Malcolm in the Middle. They were glad they hadn’t subscribed to Hulu, calling the current version of the show unacceptable.

One angry user wrote, “I’m glad Hulu added a dislike button. I’ve never disliked a show on there before, but this Malcolm in the Middle reboot is terrible. Don’t bother watching it.”

Malcolm in the Middle Fans Are Clapping Back

Many fans of Malcolm in the Middle are defending the show against criticism. Some point out that the original series already tackled similar themes, so it’s not surprising to see them in the new revival.

One fan on X argued that if you disliked the potential Malcolm in the Middle revival because of minor details, you clearly didn’t understand the original show.

One fan pointed out that ‘Malcolm in the Middle,’ similar to many shows from the early 2000s, actually tackled progressive themes for its time. They noted that the first season introduced the idea of two gay fathers, and Reese reacted positively. Additionally, one of Reese’s friends in the army was a lesbian, and the show featured Hal’s hilarious group of Black poker buddies.

Despite some criticism, Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair has generally been well-received. The show’s Rotten Tomatoes score has improved to 78%, which is close to the 77% audience score. While some viewers have had reservations about the revival, the scores indicate most people are enjoying it.

The show’s continuation finds Malcolm now grown up, happily living with his girlfriend, Tristan, and their daughter, Leah, away from his original family. When his parents, Hal and Lois, invite everyone to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary, Malcolm has to introduce his new family. Justin Berfield returns as Reese, and Christopher Masterson reprises his role as Francis.

Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair is and Hulu on Disney+.

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2026-04-12 01:10