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Is Murdaugh: Death in the Family<\/em> headed for the Golden Globes \u2014 or straight to America\u2019s most unwanted<\/em>?<\/p>\n Hulu\u2019s latest true-crime drama revisits the rise and fall of South Carolina\u2019s notorious dynasty, with Jason Clarke<\/strong> portraying Alex Murdaugh and Patricia Arquette<\/strong> as his wife, Maggie. The eight-episode limited series currently holds a 67 percent \u201cfresh\u201d rating on Rotten Tomatoes, signaling that while critics largely admire its performances, they remain divided on its storytelling and tone.<\/p>\n More from Gold Derby<\/strong><\/p>\n Across the board, critics single out Clarke and Arquette for elevating the series. The Daily Beast\u2019s<\/a> Nick Schager<\/strong> calls it \u201ca thorough and multifaceted portrait of the factors that made Alex commit his heinous deed, and a convincing and riveting performance from Jason Clarke that brings this tragedy, and the despicable man who caused it, to full-bodied life.\u201d<\/p>\n Similarly, Ben Dowell<\/strong> of The Times UK<\/a><\/em> declares, \u201cThe performances are superb,\u201d while Aramide Tinubu<\/strong> at Variety<\/a><\/em> praises the show as \u201can engaging portrait of greed, cruelty and arrogance,\u201d adding that it \u201cencapsulates what is so compelling about this particular family and why, ultimately, they self-immolated.\u201d<\/p>\n With two Emmys and an Oscar already to her name, Arquette continues to draw awards-season chatter for her ability to humanize real-world figures. Her quiet yet layered portrayal of Maggie Murdaugh could land the actress her seventh Golden Globe nomination (she’s won three), even as critics debate the series\u2019 overall merit. Meanwhile, Clarke\u2019s unsettling transformation should fuel Hulu to push both leads in limited-series acting categories this winter. Arquette and Clarke are currently ranked eighth and ninth, respectively, in Gold Derby\u2019s Golden Globes predictions<\/a>.<\/p>\nPerformances earn strong marks<\/h3>\n