If you spent any time on the internet in the mid-2000s, you probably remember the absolute chokehold Zac Efron had on a generation. Specifically, the High School Musical era. Now, imagine being one of those kids with the posters and the themed diaries, and then—fifteen years later—you’re playing his assistant in a massive Netflix rom-com.
That is the weird, meta reality for Joey King.
In their 2024 film A Family Affair, the dynamic between Zac Efron and Joey King is, honestly, the most interesting part of the whole project. It’s not just about the plot, which involves a movie star dating his assistant’s mom (played by the legendary Nicole Kidman). It’s about the fact that Joey King used to be a certified Zac Efron superfan. She didn’t hide it, either. She told him. On set.
The High School Musical Diary and Other Awkward Revelations
It’s one thing to meet your idol. It’s another thing to have to do "physical comedy bits" with them while they’re "hooking up" with your on-screen mother. Joey King mentioned on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that she basically owned every piece of Zac Efron merch available in the 2000s. We’re talking lunchboxes, posters, and a very specific High School Musical diary where she recorded her "deepest, darkest thoughts."
Imagine the vibe on set.
You’ve got Zac, who is now 36 and famously "shredded," giving wellness tips and protein intake advice to the 24-year-old who used to have his face on her desk. He was apparently super cool about it. They spent time singing High School Musical songs together between takes. Zac even sang along to "Scream" from the third movie.
That’s some high-level "core memory" stuff right there.
Why the Chemistry in A Family Affair Works (Sorta)
The movie itself, A Family Affair, got some mixed reviews. Some critics found it a bit "tepid" or predictable. But most people agreed that the Zac Efron and Joey King professional-friendship-from-hell was the highlight.
- The Power Dynamic: Zac plays Chris Cole, a high-maintenance, insecure action star who treats Joey’s character, Zara, like a glorified errand runner.
- The Comedy: Efron actually compared the movie to a Hollywood version of The Office. He leanings into the "ignorant famous actor" trope perfectly.
- The Twist: The real conflict isn't just that he's a bad boss; it's that he becomes the "stepdad" figure.
Actually, the movie works best when it stops trying to be a serious romance and lets King and Efron just bounce off each other. Zac actually praised Joey’s physical comedy, calling it "Matthew Perry-esque." If you’ve seen the scene where she walks in on him and Kidman, you know exactly what he means. She literally hits a doorframe and collapses. It wasn't a stunt double. That was all her.
What Most People Get Wrong About Their Collaboration
A lot of people think A Family Affair was the first time Efron and Kidman worked together. It wasn't. They did The Paperboy back in 2012, which was a way more intense, gritty thriller.
But for Zac Efron and Joey King, this was their first real rodeo together.
The interesting thing is how much Zac’s real life mirrored the character of Chris Cole—minus the "jerk" parts. He talked in interviews about how he used the movie to "jab" at his own career and the absurdity of being a massive celebrity. He’s lived in that bubble. He knows what it’s like to have people think they know you when they really don't.
Behind the Scenes: Protein and Practical Jokes
It wasn't all just reciting lines. King and Efron actually bonded over fitness, which is very Zac Efron of him. He’s notorious for his intense training (remember The Iron Claw?), and he ended up being a sort of "wellness coach" for Joey on set.
- Protein talk: He helped her figure out her macros.
- Ice baths: Zac is obsessed with them. He even has a mobile one. He tried to convince Joey it was "cool" and "nice," while she—like most sane people—seemed a bit skeptical.
- Singing: As mentioned, they were constantly singing. Joey calls herself the "songbird of her generation" (jokingly, maybe?), and they apparently did a lot of off-camera karaoke.
Dealing with the "Gross Sexcapade" Factor
The central hook of the movie is Zara (King) dealing with her mother (Kidman) having an affair with her boss (Efron). King has been vocal about how "betrayed" her character feels. It’s a weirdly relatable thing, even if the "movie star boss" part isn't. It’s that moment when you realize your parent is a human being with their own desires and a life outside of being "Mom."
Joey mentioned that this role forced her to see the relationship through a more mature lens. It wasn't just about Zara being selfish; it was about the "discomfort" that leads to growth.
The Real Impact of the Efron/King Dynamic
While the movie might not win an Oscar, it did something important for Netflix: it pulled numbers. It debuted at #1 and racked up over 50 million views in its first couple of weeks.
People didn't tune in for a complex script. They tuned in for the "star power."
Seeing Zac Efron and Joey King together is a bridge between two eras of "teen royalty." You have the guy who defined the 2000s and the girl who defined the late 2010s with The Kissing Booth. Putting them in the same room is basically a demographic masterstroke by Netflix.
What’s Next for Zac and Joey?
They don’t have any confirmed projects together in the immediate future, but the door is clearly open. Efron is leaning more into character-driven roles (and the occasional comedy), while King is balancing big Netflix deals with more serious fare like We Were the Lucky Ones.
If you're looking to dive deeper into their work or this specific era of rom-coms, here is what you should actually do:
- Watch "The Paperboy" (2012): If you want to see the "dark" version of the Efron/Kidman chemistry. It is wildly different from the Netflix vibe.
- Check out the BTS footage: Zac’s Instagram has a few clips of Joey doing her own stunts that are funnier than some of the actual scenes in the movie.
- Follow the "New Rom-Com" Wave: Keep an eye on Richard LaGravenese (the director). He’s the guy who did P.S. I Love You, and he’s trying to bring back the "mid-budget movie star" comedy that we all miss.
Ultimately, the story of Zac Efron and Joey King isn't just about a movie. It's a reminder that even the biggest stars started out as kids with posters on their walls, waiting for the Disney Channel Original Movie to start at 8/7 Central.
