Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that while the crimes and criminals being discussed aren't glorified, this show does delve into the disturbing details of horrific crimes. Dramatic narration, crime-scene imagery, and real video footage add a level of exposé-style intensity. Scientific methods and analysis offer an educational component, but parents need to know that this program frankly discusses disturbing psychopathic behaviors including cannibalism, child molestation, and torture.
Families can discuss the methods and analysis used by different types of professionals to determine what makes notorious criminals tick. How is evidence from varying sciences combined to create a more complete profile of the criminal mind? How can scientific evidence help in crime prevention and in diagnosing mental disorders? This program also invites discussion of the most severe psychological disorders and the factors behind them.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Ellen Dendy
Discovery Channel's Most Evil follows medical professionals as they apply research, methods, and analysis to better understand the minds of the most evil, most notorious criminals the world has ever known.
Episodes delve into the personal history, horrific crimes, and motivations of infamous killers like Ted Bundy, the BTK killer and Aileen Wuornos (pictured) in order to answer this question: What drives people to commit such horrific acts? The show features leading experts in psychology and neurology (from esteemed institutions such as Harvard, Columbia, and USC) -- including the host, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Michael Stone -- as they uncover and analyze the physiological and psychological traits and personal experiences of psychotic killers and cold-blooded, psychopathic liars. Is it possible to be born evil?
The show presents intriguing and educational scientific data, but a lot of time is dedicated to describing notorious crimes and criminals in dramatic fashion. Overall, it's interesting and informative, but a decent portion is devoted to slickly produced dramatic effects.
The science and investigative approaches presented are fascinating, as are the featured experts and professionals (fields include biology, psychology, and criminology). The show invites discussion and further research of various careers in forensics, psychology, neurology, biology, criminal profiling, and other areas. It also presents good examples of scientific research, methodology, and analysis -- the focus is on personality disorders, but the information presented carries over to other areas. This show also opens up frank discussions of mental disorders, and, of course, unthinkable crimes and behavior.
Most Evil's borderline-sensational approach keeps the audience's attention (especially teens'), but its sometimes heavy-handed approach eats up precious minutes that could be better spent on the fascinating scientific evidence. There's certainly an educational component to the show, but the content is questionable for all except mature older teens, and, when combined with the dramatic production (sinister music, a dark narrative tone, and crime scene images), may be too disturbing for younger or more sensitive viewers.
Younger viewers should skip Most Evil in favor of more age-appropriate news and issues shows, including Nick News with Linda Ellerbee and What Matters.
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Sexual ContentDescriptions of sexually violent crimes and discussion of psychological disorders in sexually abused children. |
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ViolenceIn-depth discussion of violent and extremely disturbing crimes, including murder, molestation, and torture; graphic images of real crime scenes. |
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Social BehaviorThe "Most Evil" (who all display unthinkable social behavior, including cannibalism and murder) aren't glorified or presented as role models. Role models in this show are forensic scientists and other experts who apply scientific and psychological methods as investigative tools. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoDiscussion of drug and alcohol use and abuse; images of alcohol and cigarettes. |
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