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Alias

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Smart action drama with a strong female lead.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The main characters catch terrorists and arms dealers. The bad guys are sometimes glamorized.
  • Violence:

    Frequent onscreen graphic shooting, punching, and kicking.
  • Sex:

    When Sydney goes undercover, she often wears revealing outfits.
  • Language:

    Fairly mild ("bitch," "damn").
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters use sometimes use alcohol and "knock out" drugs to catch villains.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Alias was written by Elliot Panek

Parents need to know that this show features a significant amount of violence. This includes a few graphic shooting deaths and frequent fistfights. Characters are constantly deceiving one another, which could encourage young viewers to be overly suspicious of others.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the violence on primetime network television. How is violence in action shows, like this one, different than violence in more realistic shows, like CSI? Does it have less of an impact here? When it comes to how much is too much violence, where would you draw the line?
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More on Alias

What’s the Story?

ALIAS follows the adventures of Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner), a double agent working for the CIA who has infiltrated the ranks of a secret terrorist organization. Her life is a series of double-crosses and revelations and is constantly being reshuffled and remade as is necessitated by the identity shifting required by her profession. Everyone in Sydney's life seems to be part of the world of international intrigue -- her father, Jack (Victor Garber), is a fellow double agent, and her CIA handler Michael Vaughn (Michael Vartan) becomes a close friend (and maybe more...). There are occasional forays into the fantastic -- some shady, evil organizations take their cues from a 500-year-old prophecy, for example. Meanwhile, things like brainwashing and hallucinogens sometimes prevent Sydney from being sure of anything, yet she carries on, foiling plots and trying to maintain some semblance of a life.

Is It Any Good?

The show expertly draws out mysteries over the course of each season, and for this reason, it might be tough for new viewers to understand the intricate plot if they come in late. However, there is also pleasure in each individual episode, especially for those keen on the tone, style and intensity of creator J.J. Abrams' other smash hit series Lost. Though it has begun to show some signs of losing momentum as it heads toward its conclusion, Alias remains a uniquely well-written, well-acted action drama with more psychological depth than nearly every other show on television.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    More for the teen group depends on how mature they are

    Depending on your child's maturity level this show may or may not be appropiate for 14+. This show is fantastic. But has violence and adult issues. Though there isn't alot of swearing at all. Like Sydney's mom being a KGB agent and in the first episode Sydney's fiance gets murdered. I think alot of teens would benefit from watching it. It shows a message of compassion especially for Sydney.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    such a AWESOME show

    i think Alias is an AMAZNG show but my parents think otherwise!! they think that the fist fights and violence will be taken to my real life at home! I agree that there are some inaproprate things for some people but the show is just too good to be given up for that! the first season has gotten me hooked from the very first 20 minutes!! if the shows violence was taken away then all of the intersetng things would be gone! plus how could a show about a duble agent not have violence!!!!

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 4.0

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    I am so attached to this show! I will never let go!

    I started watching ALIAS during its first season, about the fifth episode. That was when I first became ADDICTED! The characters relationship struggles on the show are what keep me coming back for more. It's like a bunch of TV genres rolled into one show, and it is amazing. ALIAS is now in its fifth season, and I couldn't be more excited for what is going to happen next. So if you're looking for a movie-quality TV show to watch, make sure you check out ALIAS!

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 4.0

    Alias is a great show!

    Well the violince is often and sometimes brutal but it is not like R movies... Sometimes sydney uses "makeup?" to cover her wounds. Launguage is an ocasional D*** or A**. Sexwise in some episodes sydneny goes to strip clubs... NOthing revealing though.The characters use drugs to knock out their enemys.

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