Government Cheese

Drama Comedy English

When Hampton is released from prison, his long-awaited family reunion doesn't quite go as he hoped. In his absence, Hampton's wife and sons formed an unconventional family unit, and his return spins their world into chaos.

Cast:	David Oyelowo, Simone Missick, Jahi Di'Allo Winston, Evan Ellison, Bokeem Woodbine, Jeremy Bobb, Louis Cancelmi, Adam Beach, Mykelti Williamson,

All Guild Reviews of Government Cheese

Image of scene from the film Government Cheese

David Oyelowo Starrer Struggles To Maintain Narrative And Tone

Sonal Pandya | Times Now

Wed, April 16 2025

Created by Paul Hunter and Aeysha Carr, the absurdist comedy centers the Chambers family around some bizarre circumstances, which become hard to get invested in.

The new Apple TV+ series Government Cheese is billed as a family comedy but veers into deep drama at times as well. Set in 1960s California, the surreal comedy never seems too sure about its initial premise and veers all over the place. David Oyelowo is the cheerful protagonist and former felon who is ready to do everything to get things back to where they were with his family. However, his criminal past can never quite escape him. The meandering dramedy pushes off strong but loses itself as more characters are introduced. Oyelowo is Hampton Chambers, a check forger sentenced to the Chino State Prison, who is let out early with certain conditions. His family, wife Astoria (Simone Missick), and sons, Einstein (Evan Ellison) and Harrison (Jahi Di’Allo Winston), have all moved on in his absence, and Hampton struggles to form their bond again. Working to launch his new handyman invention and pay off the local crime family to whom he owes a debt, Hampton falls deeper into chaos.