Good American Family (but not really)

So far, there are only 6 out of 8 episodes of Good American family available on Disney Plus, and I have to say that watching this show can really mess with your mind. Since it's based off a true story, I was inspired to find out exactly what was true in the show, and what was just added for dramatic effect. Attention: Spoilers ahead!

Good American Family tells the tale of Natalia Grace, a young person with dwarfism, and the families that are temporarily part of her life. The first 4 episodes of the show are shown from the point of view of one of the families that took Natalia in, The Barnetts. Now this “Good America Family” had a great reputation. In the show, we see that Kristine, the mother, runs a recreation center for special needs children. She is seen as a role model, because of her work with her son, Jake, who has achieved great succes in school, despite the family being told he would always be held back by Autism as a young child. So, when the family gets the chance to adopt Natalia, they jump at the chance, even paying for her medical bills.

However, things aren't as sweet as they seem once Natalia moves in. Shortly after she joins the family, Kristine starts to grow suspicious that Natalia isn't really a child. This is a major controversy in the show. Kristine becomes worried that Natalia is going to hurt the family. She accuses her of laying out thumbtacks to be stepped on, hiding knives, concealing her period, trying to steal her husband, poisoning her, and dragging her into an electric fence. After their marriage nearly reaches it's breaking point, Kristine's husband, Michael, agrees that they have to get rid of Natalia. They eventually have her age LEGALLY changed to 22, meaning in the eyes of the law (and everyone else) she isn't a child anymore. Episode 4 ends with the Barnett family getting an apartment for Natalia and leaving her there alone.

Now, at this point, we, as the audience, are worried for the Barnett family. Natalia has been portrayed as a psycho, hoping to tear the family apart and, potentially, kill them. That poor family, being terrorised… Something to consider, though, is that, shortly before Natalia was adopted, a horror movie came out with a similar storyline to what the Barnett family's testimonies describe. In the 2009 movie, Orphan, a violent woman with dwarfism disguises herself as a child to be taken home by a poor, unexpecting family. Curious that this is exactly what the Barnetts have accused Natalia of, isn't it?

Now we move on to Natalia's side of the story. So far, only 2 episodes from Natalia's point of view have been released on Disney Plus (next episode dropping on Wednesday). Now we watch Natalia cry for her family, and struggle to take care of herself as an, “Adult”. When she tries to meet people, she tells them, “I'm 22, I just look young for my age”. After taking a bus trip to the Barnett's house with a new friend is mistaken as her kidnapping him, Natalia is kicked out of her apartment. She finds out that the Barnetts are moving to Canada, but Kristine comes back to threaten her. She warns her to stay away from people. She is only allowed to go to school for her GED and come home to the apartment. Then, Kristine sprays Natalia in the eyes with mace to show her what will happen if she doesn't behave.

In the 6th episode that dropped this Wednesday, a new family, the Mans family, decides to take Natalia in. They have many other foster/adopted children in their care and, although it's made clear that they are interested in Natalia's disability money, the family really does seem to care about her, despite receiving a warning message from Kristine. For now, Natalia is safe and happy.

So whose side are we on? Were the Barnetts a victimised family, forced to flee the country to protect themselves from Natalia, or was Natalia a defenseless child abandoned to care for her self?

According to an article published by Forbes March 26, 2025, an investigation has uncovered that Natalia Grace was about 9 years old when she was adopted by the Barnett family ("Was Natalia Grace a child or an adult with the Barnett? Here' what a DNA test revealed", Monica Mercuri). So, when the Barnetts left her alone in an apartment, she was still a child. She has not yet turned 22.

So why is it even a question who was wrong?According to Times Magazine's article, “Where is Good American Family's Natalia Grace Today?” (Olivia B. Waxman, March 19, 2025), Natalia had a falling out with the Mans family after they adopted her in 2023, and now she lives with the DePauls. Kristine Barnett still insists that Natalia has wrongly accusing her, and others, of abuse. The Mans family said Natalia's behaviour was manageable, but switched their tune after she got a boyfriend and chose to move out.

My opinion? Natalia was abused as a child, so some acting out is understandable. Nothing is grounds for taking a child you promised to love and protect and leaving her to fend for herself. I feel like the story in Good American Family is designed to plant doubt, especially since it starts with the Barnetts' point of view. I don't really approve of this but, I still look forward to next week's episode, like any true crime fan. I suggest you check it out yourselves!