 | 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. |
Haunted
- Genre: Drama
Common Sense Media says
So-so horror procedural with blood and sexual content.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this horror-based drama deals heavily on the paranormal with a fair amount of violence and sexuality. The overall tone of the series is dark and gloomy as the main character investigates unsolved murders. Expect occasionally graphic scenes of violence with lots of blood. Some sexuality including foreplay between adults with glimpses of skin.
What's the story?
The lead character of HAUNTED, Frank Taylor (Matthew Fox), is a former cop who has become a private investigator. He becomes involved in a kidnapping case and pursues a suspect by himself instead of waiting for backup...and has a near-death experience because of it. After that experience, he suddenly gains the ability to see and communicate with ghosts, all of whom ask his help in resolving the unsolved mysteries of their deaths. Throughout, he struggles with the loss of his own son, who disappeared mysteriously from his home one night.
Is it any good?
Writers sometimes use the phrase "on the nose" to describe material that seems just a bit too perfect to feel honest. That's a good description of how most of the plot twists on Haunted feel for a viewer. Although the acting does help elevate the script, there are many moments that come roaring down the story turnpike blaring their horn, easily telegraphed from miles away.
There's a cliche almost-superhuman serial criminal, a former-cop-turned-PI who refuses to wait for backup, and a dark hallway full of ghosts with a light at the end of it...and that's just in the pilot's first 15 minutes. Mixing the traditional procedural format with supernatural elements has a great deal of promise, but Haunted doesn't pay off.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about how to deal with violence on television in the context of a horror series. Does it make it easier to accept graphic violence on a horror show? Why or why not?
Do you believe in the supernatural underpinnings of this series? How does this show handle the paranormal compared to other supernatural-oriented series?
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| TV rating: | NR |
| Cast: | Lynn Collins, Matthew Fox, Russell Hornsby |
| Genre: | Drama |
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