Buffy the Vampire Slayer (FX)
common sense media says
Cult vampire series has witty bite and strong role model.
parents & educators say
- 37% say there are positive messages
- 37% say there are positive role models
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that while even grade-schoolers may enjoy the horror-movie aspects of this hugely popular vampire series, its mature themes are not a good fit for kids that young. Even kids as young as 12 -- who will enjoy the action and have fun with the one-liners -- probably aren't quite ready for the dark, adult issues the show tackles. Buffy is in mortal danger in most episodes, she loses her virginity to her (much) older boyfriend, and monsters are everywhere. On the upside, the series encourages strength in girls, mentoring, and teamwork. The series is best for teens and adults, who will appreciate the multi-leveled story and the Romeo and Juliet subtext of some of the episodes.
Positive role models:
Buffy is a strong, nuanced role model. She's powerful, loyal, and committed to her role as fighter-of-evil. She sacrifices herself for others regularly, and is a thoughtful, caring friend.
Violence:
Cartoonish action violence, including stabbing vampires with stakes, fighting sequences, and a scene in which Buffy is attacked by a severed arm.
Sex:
Sixteen-year-old Buffy has sex with her vampire boyfriend, who is considerably older. Many romances among the teen characters, including a lesbian relationship. The vampire myth is traditionally a very sexualized one.
Language:
Ocassional mild cursing -- "hell," "damn," etc.
Consumerism:
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Not applicable.
More on Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Review It
Based on 35 parent & educator reviews:
- 37% say there are positive messages
- 37% say there are positive role models
- 26% say sexual content is an issue
Most useful reviews by all members
James Taylor
parent of 16 year old
parent of 16 year old
Please keep in mind the aging of the series
Although the consensus is that Buffy is a "13 and up" series it is important to note that there are some episodes -- especially in season 6 -- that are really intended for more mature audiences. Some of the Buffy and Angel scenes in earlier seasons were pretty racy as well. What began as an appropriate series for 13 and 14 year olds grew older, darker and more daring, and it is easy to forget in this DVD age -- when you can watch an entire season in a week -- that there was an anticipation that viewers would grow up with the series, so that by the time Season 6 came around the average viewer would be closer to 19 or 20, which is the age that some of those episodes are more appropriate for. Even so, Buffy is one of the best series in TV history, if not the best.
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GranolaGirl101
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
I love Buffy but sometimes I can't watch it because of it being inappropriate.
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whovianmother
parent of and 5 , 6 , 8 , 10 year old
parent of and 5 , 6 , 8 , 10 year old
More violent than i would like.... but good
my 10 and 8 year old started watching this about 3 months ago when they randomly found my box sets i was gonna wait till they were older for them too watch it but as long as they understand unless they are the slayer violence is not what they need it is fine.
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mightydoll
parent of 10 and 12 year old
parent of 10 and 12 year old
Earlier seasons are fine for tweens who aren't easily frightened, but later seasons should wait.
My kids love it, as do I. While I do think there is stuff that's simply over their heads, that's not what I tend to be concerned about with television. It's the stuff that they're getting that concerns me more than whether they understand the metaphor and subtext.
The sex is very tame, and the violence is fairly cartoon-y. Meanwhile, the messages of tolerance, respect and strength are fabulous. Characters are complex and show that everyone has a bit of light and a bit of darkness in them, and that the way we choose to treat our light and dark aspects is what makes us good and bad people. It is actions, not impulses that make us good - a particularly good message for children, who often find themselves in over their heads emotionally.
That said, I do not allow my youngest to watch Hush (too scary, it'll give her nightmares) and a handful of other episodes in the first 4 or 5 seasons and I think seasons 6 and 7 are flat out too scary for her altogether. Judging this series in its entirety is difficult, as it evolves, changes and becomes more sophisticated with time.
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Ballet_Dance
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Really like this show for so many reason.
I started watching this show when I was younger and then stopped when I was about 11. When I was 12 I became anorexic. I started to watch this show again when I was about 13. This show actually helped me to realise that I didn't need to be super skinny. I know that might sound kind of wierd but seeing a main female character that was stong and and needed her strength everyday made me start to think I might need help. Pretty much, part of the reason that I love this show is because of how strong the female characters are. In my opinion it shows woman in a whole new light.
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Marvin42
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
I freaking love this show
I am obsessed with Buffy, but I'm pretty mature so probably only 12+ and take maturity into considersation. It's dark, it's heavy, it's witty, it's funny, it's freaking amazing
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GummiBearGirl
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
Great Show!
There was one episode where they're in a sex-ed class, but I didn't see most of it, because my friend and I kept talking about how awkward it was, so her sister kicked us out of the room. As for the episode where they have sex, you don't see much at all. There are a lot of episodes where Xander makes out with his girlfriend in a janitor's closet.
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knittingbunny66
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Great Show for ages 11+
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is my favourite show! I started watching it last christmas, and think it is amazing and brilliant. The themes and content starts to get a little racy from season 4, onward, but nothing is showing. The violence is very mild, and nothing too gory. This also depends on the kid's maturity level. Kids under eleven can probably watch the first season, and some of the second season but that's when it starts to get a little racy, but only in one episode. I love the show's creativity, humour, amazing actors and charactors, and intriguing storyline. The show sends strong messages, and breaks many stereotypes.
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Fidgit77
parent of 12 and 12 year old
parent of 12 and 12 year old
Older kids should be fine, use your own judgment
I love this show, as well as Joss Whedon's other shows, and I do let my boys watch SOME episodes.
I self censor because I have seen all of the episodes and I own the dvd box set. So, we watch them together. Most of the episodes are fine for my 11 boys. The heavy, angst ridden episodes or the ones with sex scenes are omitted from our watching.
While the episodes, "Once More with Feeling" and "Hush" both have a bit of content I'm not completely comfortable with, the episodes are both hits at my house.
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Sara2573
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
So, this is not really something for kids. There is lots of s*x and swearing including bloody h*ll (Spike says that) plus Spike is always drinking or smoking and he has a big obsession for Buffy (and her body) so make sure you watch one or so before you approve or disapprove.
Note: Some episodes are more dirty than others :D
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Katie-Kakes
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
This is the Best show
this is a really good show. the first time i saw it i practically fell in love its the best show ever. i like the actors and freqently defend the vamps. the idea of the slayer being a female is very interesting and is a great thing.
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gir8
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
BUFFY ROCKS!!!!!
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of the best shows to air on Television! It's much better than the movie so i recomend the show of Buffy, not the movie!
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liliaeth
adult
adult
This is probably Joss Whedon's greatest show. It has some of his strongest characters and is a overall a masterpiece.
But I would warn any parent that this is not suitable for all kids under fifteen. Themes can get very dark, a main character sacrifices her life for her sister and the world (in a manner that could be considered as suicide) and when she returns in season six, she becomes deeply abusive and falls under the influence of a depression.
Another character falls prey to addiction and mindrapes her girlfriend and never pays a price for this. Said girlfriend ends up murdered in a non cartoonish manner.Leading the first character into committing murder and attempting to destroy the world.
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laurahutch
adult
adult
Who might I have been...
...If I had grown up watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer instead of Happy Days? One can only imagine.
I'm a 40-year-old woman who loves this show for three reasons: 1) Buffy is a strong, complex female character; 2) I always felt respected as a viewer; and 3) The writing was consistently among the best on TV. I plan to watch it with my niece and nephew when they get a bit older.
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loves kats
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
best show in the world
love it!!!!!!!!!!! i have only watched 4 episodes in the 1st season, but i love it anyway because they try help Buffy slay the vampires
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CynderMizuki
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
I really enjoy this series but season 6 (although a great season) is quite sexual and Tweens may be confused by the lesbian relationship in the series. At the end of the day the positive message of such a powerful female character makes girls themselves feel powerful and strong.
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taco22
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Get This Show It's Awesome
Another one of Joss Whedon's genius shows! It went on for 7 seasons and I can see why. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a piece of art that no one can ever remake.
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amy's_dad
parent
parent
10 fingers and 10 toes WAY UP.
The Buffy series was one of the best I have ever bothered to set aside "watch time".
1) It was entertaining for me as a parent as well as my teen-age kids. We could laugh together and discuss the episodes.
2) It was NOT a vampire show. It was about the challenges facing all High School, and then College students as their lives unfolded.
3) It stressed courage, tenacity, and righteousness.
I am an adult accountant. Once, while traveling for business I was surfing the wasteland channels. I happened upon Buffy and expected to watch it for 5 minutes. But it captured my attention. When I returned my home, I pleaded with my teen-age daughter to watch one episode with me. I promised her that if she didn't like it, I would never bring it up again. She sat through the episode. The next week she was at my side. Soon her older brother and my wife joined us.
The episode in which Buffy's mother died is probably the best 60 minutes I have ever spend in front of the boob-tube. They explored many aspects of coping with death - most of all that it is beyond our comprehension, and only by relying on each other and Faith can we survive it.
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