Haunted

Review

Common Sense Media says

So-so horror procedural with blood and sexual content.
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

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Kids say

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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.

  • Positive messages1
    Overall themes focus on the importance of justice, with characters attempting to find some form of closure for those murdered. But there is a generally dark tone to the series.
  • Positive role models1
    While there is some disrespect for authority exhibited by the lead character, he also provides a strong example for how to demonstrate honor by working hard for those who have no real voice of their own -- in this case, ghosts.
  • Violence4
    A surprising amount of blood for a network television series; at one point, the lead character is stabbed and rolls away to find a large and visible pool of deep dark blood. As the show focuses on the lead character's attempts to bring killers to justice, there are frequent violent encounters, including deaths, hand-to-hand fights, and handgun and knife use.
  • Sex3
    Characters are depicted engaging in foreplay, wearing thin or skimpy clothing that can be seen through. Heavy sexual banter between characters in committed relationships.
  • Language2
    Occasional "damn" and "hell."
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking2
    Occasional social drinking and smoking, but little drug use, except occasionally on the part of the criminals depicted on the series.
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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.

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What families can talk about

  • 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?

This review was written by Matt Springer

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This review was written by Matt Springer
TV rating:NR
Cast:Lynn Collins, Matthew Fox, Russell Hornsby
Genre:Drama
This review was written by Matt Springer
 

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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.
Our child development rating guidelines

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