Uma Thurman Starred in This Intense Remake ‘The Slap,’ and Nobody Remembers

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As a huge fan of TV, there’s nothing I love more than settling in for a really good binge-watch – a show that just pulls you in right from the start. Some shows are perfect for the whole family, keeping things light and appropriate. But honestly, we’ve all run into that one series that just feels…off-limits, something you wouldn’t want to watch with your parents or kids, right?

NBC rebooted the Australian series The Slap in 2015 with Uma Thurman, but the American version wasn’t appropriate for families. The show started with a seemingly minor incident—a parent lightly slapping a child—that quickly escalated into a surprisingly intense and disturbing story. Many viewers found it relatable, as physical discipline was common during many of our childhoods.

As a movie and TV buff, I found The Slap really interesting because it wasn’t just about a simple punishment. That one incident just cracked everything open, and what started as a disagreement quickly spiraled into a huge family breakdown. The show really gets into how families function – or don’t – and it makes you question where the line is between discipline and something more serious, especially when it comes to raising kids. It’s a tough watch, because people clearly have very different ideas about what’s acceptable when it comes to parenting.

Uma Thurman leads a fantastic cast that includes Peter Sarsgaard, Thandiwe Newton, Zachary Quinto, Brian Cox, and Melissa George. Interestingly, George returns to play the same character she originated in the original Australian series, which itself was adapted from Christos Tsiolkas’ novel. The eight-episode show didn’t receive much attention from viewers or critics – it doesn’t even have a score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it’s definitely worth watching, and here’s why.

It All Starts With a Slap

The story of The Slap begins with a small incident at a 40th birthday party. Hector Apostolou is celebrating with his friends and family, including several children. As kids often do, they’re playing and interacting while the adults are enjoying themselves, and this playful interaction sets off a chain of events.

The trouble began when Hugo started swinging a baseball bat at the other children. Even after everyone asked him to put it down, he refused. That’s when Harry, a guest at the gathering, stepped in. Hugo kicked him, and Harry responded by slapping the boy. Everyone was shocked, and Harry defended his actions while Hugo’s mother became very upset.

The slap sparks a chain of events, with each one highlighting how it impacts a different member of the family. What initially seemed like a minor incident quickly escalates, leading to accusations of assault. As things get more serious, long-hidden family secrets come to light, revealing that the slap is actually the smallest of their troubles.

One of the Best American TV Remakes in Recent History

American television has seen many remakes since the early 2000s, and some have become incredibly popular and even surpassed the original shows they were based on – think of hits like Euphoria, House of Cards, and Homeland. While the miniseries The Slap didn’t receive as much attention, it remains a strong show even a decade later. (It’s interesting how little trace of the remake exists online – the Australian trailer offers a good glimpse of what the series was like.) The story had the potential to go further, but the ending ultimately felt right. You might be left wondering what happens to the family after the credits roll, and perhaps some questions are best left unanswered.

“The Slap” portrays a family facing a crisis, and honestly shows how people react when things fall apart. While it’s a Hollywood production with attractive actors, the series feels surprisingly realistic. Although the initial confrontation is a shocking moment, what happens afterward is even more compelling and uncomfortably relatable, especially when it comes to family dynamics. If the creators intended to make viewers feel uneasy about the complexities of family, they’ve succeeded. You can currently watch the series for free on The Roku Channel.




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2026-02-27 18:34