After seeing the trailer for Instant Family several months ago in 2018, I wanted to get excited about it because the story looked great, and I’m fond of its main stars, Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne.

However, having previously seen Wahlberg in the Daddy’s Home movies, which I didn’t fully love, I was understandably concerned. Turns out that I needn’t have worried because Instant Family is a better experience than the Daddy’s Home films.

Directed and co-written by Sean Anders, Instant Family is a comedy/drama based on the true story of the ups and downs faced by a couple who foster/adopt three children all at once. 

Things started looking good for this movie within the first few minutes. Firstly, the editing. I really appreciate the fact that I didn’t find myself wishing I could fast forward any of the scenes. Second, I enjoyed the relationship dynamic between the central couple played by Wahlberg and Byrne. Last but not least, the banter between Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro’s characters is a delight to watch.

I laughed during Instant Family more than I expected to. An especially memorable moment is the scene at the dinner table with the pair of closed eyes. I was, of course, also moved by the beautiful moments of familial love and the unfortunate truth of some of the experiences of children and teenagers in the foster care system.

Watch Instant Family because it’s good, very likely better than you expect, and it’s definitely, as a fellow film lover predicted, more grounded than the Daddie’s Home films.

Happy Film loving,

G