The Booth at the End

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Suspenseful web serial stirs up murky moral issues.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that, aside from a few low-level curse words (mostly "hell"), there isn't much here to be concerned about outright. That said, some disturbing/violent acts are described, and the show's provocative treatment of moral issues may be too complex for kids. Overall, the message is pretty murky.

  • The show explores the topics of morality and immorality in pursuit of a purposefully provocative question: "How far would you go to get what you want?"
  • Most characters have selfish desires and are willing to commit crimes or immoral acts to get what they want, including robbing a bank, killing a child, bombing a populated area, etc.
  • Descriptions of violent acts (ie., using a plastic bag to kill a small child, killing innocent people with a homemade bomb), but nothing visual.
  • Not applicable.

What's the story?

One by one, assorted strangers file in to the unassuming Cadillac Jack's diner and slip into THE BOOTH AT THE END with a mysterious customer known only as "The Man" (Xander Berkeley). And as the series continues, their stories intersect in unexpected ways. Each one has something they want more than anything, and the Man can make it happen...as long as they perform a random task he gives them in return.


Is it any good?

 

The concept behind The Booth at the End is pretty intriguing, and the show's short format will make watching episodes in quick succession downright addicting. What's less clear, however, is whether viewers will tire of the repetitive structure, with nothing else to look at besides a man sitting at a booth, talking to an ever-rotating roster of guests.

If they stick it out, they'll be treated to a fascinating (albeit fictional) social experiment that explores the limits of human morality with sobering results. And Xander Berkeley's performance as "The Man" is compelling enough to keep us watching.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the show's message when it comes to cause and effect. What does being moral mean to you? Is it ever OK to do something bad to someone else if it results in a positive outcome for you?

  • Who do you think the Man really is? Is he a regular person, the Devil himself, or some other kind of evil? Is he forcing people to do bad things, or merely a mediator?

  • Why is this show airing as a Web-only series? Do you think it would do well on network television or pay cable? Why or why not?


This review was written by Kari Croop
Teen, 15 years old
July 16, 2011
 
The Booth at the End
This show is very good, but only for certain audiences. I liked the moral issues involved and putting myself in different characters shoes. But it is also a very haunting and creepy at times. Like an old woman talking about mass murder and a dad killing a little girl. It asks many questions like would you kill one person to save another. I recommend it for people who like studies about the brain and the decisions people make.

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Adult
August 9, 2011
 
Best New Series
This series of interactive stories is NOT religious, it is NOT preachy, it is NOT offensive in the least but it IS a very interesting story line and it is actually worth watching. The best new show to happen to HULU.

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This review was written by Kari Croop
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:Hulu
Cast:Xander Berkeley
Genre:Drama

This review was written by Kari Croop
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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