• Is it age appropriate?

  About our ratings

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  Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 15.

• Is it any good?

  2.0

• Common Sense says

  Unoriginal slasher show is far too gory for kids.

Why We Rated This for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

• Messages:

  In addition to revolving around the grim themes of murder and death, the show is filled with class resentments and simmering anger. For example, a working-class guy is about to marry a rich girl, and there's plenty of talk about the role of money in their relationship.
• Role models:

  Most of the characters are one-note stereotypes ("good girl," etc.). One woman is revisiting the island where she grew up after a long absence, leading to several emotional reunions and a few arguments with people she hasn't seen in years. A child seems to have an unnatural fixation with death.
• Violence:

  Plenty of horror-film gore, muted only slightly to appear on television. For example, when a victim is being disemboweled, viewers see only his face -- but once he's clearly dead, the shot widens to show his bloody, dripping torso. There are also bar fights, some intense arguments, and lots of spooky imagery.
• Sex:

  Characters are shown having sex, presumably naked and in bed -- though no sensitive body parts are visible. There's plenty of talk about sex and some suggestive comments. Female characters are sometimes shown in their underwear for no particular reason.
• Language:

  Nothing bleeped, but audible language includes words like "damn," "hell," "ass," and "bastard."
• Consumerism:

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

  Lots of drinking -- in bars, at parties, and privately. The characters drink heavily and talk about whether they're drunk. Some characters also smoke cigars and pop pills.

What Parents Need to Know

About Harper's Island

Families Can Talk About