 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Dexter
Common Sense Media says
Bloody drama for adults only -- we mean it!
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this violent drama -- originally made for pay cable -- also airs on CBS in primetime. Its "hero" is a serial killer, it's extremely dark and violent, and it's not intended for kids or teens in any way. CBS has bleeped out the profanity but left the story untouched. Blood is shown so often that it's almost a secondary character, and the protagonist is probably one of the worst role models a kid could have. Expect to see graphic close-ups of severed arms, legs, and heads. And running a close second to the bloody visuals is the psychological mayhem that comes with taking a peek inside the twisted mind of a killer.
What's the story?
As the macabre titular character of DEXTER (which is based on the novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay), Michael C. Hall plays a man who metes out his own brand of vigilante justice on pedophiles, thieves, murderers, and the like by tracking them down and brutally killing them -- in the vein of Hammurabi's "eye for an eye" code -- which his adoptive father instilled in him when he saw the evil that was in his son. But the real catch is Dexter Morgan's day job: He's a blood-splatter expert for the Miami Police Department, which further assists him in his clean technique of taking care of his own victims. Of course, the other people in Dexter's life are clueless about his sick hobby.
Is it any good?
Dexter has a provocative premise and succeeds at being original by using blood and violence as a morbid punch line. But unlike American Psycho on the big screen (starring Christian Bale), fans of the series are drawn to the likability of Dexter himself. Hall delivers again (much like his character in the hit HBO series Six Feet Under) and leaves viewers wondering, "is what Dexter's doing really so wrong?"
Every character is well formed, and each season delivers enough twists, humor, scares, and cliff-hanging moments that fans keep coming back for more of a good (albeit bloody) thing.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the fact that killing another human being, no matter what your motives might be, is 100 percent wrong. But is committing a less-drastic act that you know to be illegal ever OK if the person you're committing it against is a bad seed?
How far is too far when it comes to revenge? Is there a point when your actions become just as reprehensible as the people and bad deeds you're targeting? Do the ends ever justify the means?
Why do we sometimes root for the bad guys? Is Dexter a "bad guy"?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Teen, 15 years old
July 21, 2009
AGE
Television at its best, but not for the youngins'.
Alright, so there are a lot of things in this show that aren't appropriate for little kids. Does that mean it's a bad show? Absolutely not. I am consistently astounded by the severe stupidity of people on this website that will give something one star because it was too violent. Don't watch it, then. It's as simple as that. With that being said, Dexter is probably one of the best serial dramas on television today. It's refreshing, funny, sickening, and exciting. I, for one, have always despised the ridiculously repititive crime dramas (a la Law and Order, CSI, Numb3rs, Criminal Minds), and at first I thought that I might be turned off by the similarities to these shows in Dexter, but I was quickly proven wrong. Even once you get past the little twist that this show has, it's still not your typical crime program. 'Nuff said. And it's on a premium channel, for goodness sake. If you watch it and are offended by its content, you should try out for the scarecrow part in the next possible production of "The Wizard of Oz."
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Parent of 17 year old
April 27, 2011
AGE
ok for kids 11
note i would let my kids watch it but i would not let my kids repeat the language
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 13 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
I LOVE this shpow
it is sooo interesting
and every episode i cant wait till the next
i love this show
its sooo great and real and just amazing!
its so great and i cant wait til this sunday to see it<3
Was this review useful?
|
|
Adult
June 6, 2011
AGE
Has Potential But Overall a Huge Disappointment
This show has potential. I am entering the field of psychology and find the overall plot fascinating, from that standpoint. The acting is ok. However, the excessive use of violence/gore and sexuality makes it unwatchable. My husband and I are in our mid-20's and stopped watching at the 3rd season because the gore and sex were so prevalent. I've heard it gets even worse as the seasons go on. People who say their teens or 11 year-olds can watch this are, in my opinion, insane. I would never subject anyone to this show, whether child, teen or adult. Pass.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Parent of 13 year old
October 1, 2009
AGE
for certain adults only
This is simply an excellent series. Very macabre subject matter. Excellent writing. How else can you explain the curious empathy you develop towards this killer. Nothing any child should be watching. Michael C. Hall couldn't be more different from his character on SIx Feet Under.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 16 years old
September 11, 2010
AGE
I love this show! i have been watching it since i was 12 and its amazing! Should be fine for mature teens.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Educator and Parent
September 6, 2010
AGE
Definitely not for kids. Parents Beware! Great Grown-Up Watch, though.
Dexter is definitely not a kids show. It's a great story of a monster trying to be something beside a monster, engaging, thought provoking, even beautiful... but it's something that's too complicated, off-center, violent and unapologetic for kids. The only reasons I can see showing it to someone fifteen and up are these: either your very mature older teen has asked to see it and you think they're ready to tackle complete moral ambiguity on their own, or your very mature older teen has said horrible things about the mentally ill and you want to remind them that even the sickest monsters are people with feelings, too. Otherwise, keep the kids away!
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 14 years old
September 5, 2010
AGE
not for kids
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Adult
July 29, 2010
AGE
Adults YES..KIDS...NO ! Not rocket science
This show is aimed for adult enterainment. So if you are a parent who is an idiot and lets your kids/.kid sit and view this show the kids got more than one issue. Its all about being a parent who pays attention to what is being viewed by kids in the home. This is a very strange show, done well. Its unique ans thats what makes it work. Dexter is a good man/killer! HAHAHA.......But no kids don't watch this~
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 17 years old
December 28, 2009
AGE
It's on HBO, so expect tons of sex, violence and profanity. I've been watching it since it first aired. It's a very good show with great preformances. I think it is for the most part appropriate for ages 14 and up. The DVD is rated 14A in Canada.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
| TV rating: | TV-MA |
| Networks: | CBS, Showtime |
| Cast: | Jennifer Carpenter, Lauren Velez, Michael C. Hall |
| Genre: | Drama |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
