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Painkiller Jane

(Rated NR, Science fiction , Starring Kristanna Loken, Rob Stewart, Sean O. Roberts, Where to watch: Syfy)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Contrived, violent action show doesn't connect.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Jane is a member of a covert government unit assigned to tracking down people with unusual mental abilities. Being part of a quasi-military group means the team is used to following orders, but because they are a secret operation, there is a fair amount of "the standard rules don't apply to us" attitude. Jane is a strong woman.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Plenty of fistfights, guns, shootouts, and some self-inflicted damage. Some of the scenes can be bloody and graphic, including close-ups of wounds, but most of the fights are relatively tame.
  • Sex:

    No sex or nudity; some mild flirting.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

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

    Some characters drink moderately.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Painkiller Jane

Parents need to know that the entire premise of this comic-book-inspired series demands a certain amount of violence and blood. The main character, Jane, can heal from almost any wound, a talent that's regularly put to the test (sometimes graphically). There are close-up shots of deep cuts and bullet wounds, and though the point is to show Jane's amazing recovery, the sequences aren't pretty. The other members of her squad are aware of her ability and sometimes take advantage of it (for example, by shooting through her when they need to take down a villain). Jane also volunteers to draw enemy fire in some scenes and is shot repeatedly. Her ability doesn't make her immune to pain, and she's clearly in agony.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the role of violence in this show. Is it appropriate for the story that's being told? Which parts, if any, are gratuitous? Who sets (and enforces) limits for TV violence? Are standards different now than they used to be? Why? Families can also discuss the show's father-daughter relationship. Jane's relationship with her father is strained, which seems to have played an important part in the development of her icy-cool character -- good for a government agent, not so good for maintaining close friendships. When it comes to father-daughter relationships, is "quality time" an adequate substitute for "quantity time"? How can you help a child deal with the death of a parent?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Alabama
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

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