Misfits

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Grim antiheroes make addicting TV but terrible role models.
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

Not yet rated

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this imported dramedy (which originally aired in its native Britain) contains frank and often shocking depictions of sexual and violent acts, with unbleeped swearing, nudity, and blood. The main characters -- all of whom are convicted delinquents with a chip on their shoulder -- commonly use words like "f--k," "s--t," and "c--t," along with more descriptive terms like "ball sack," "p---y," and "panty sniffer." They also drink and use illegal drugs like pot and cocaine.

  • Characters live in a dangerous and relatively depressing place, where violence -- and sometimes murder -- is a necessary evil. It's unclear whether they plan to use their powers to help people or hurt people, although teasers hint that at least one will choose the latter.
  • The "Misfits" are convicted delinquents who've committed crimes of varying degrees. One got caught with cocaine, another tried to burn someone's house down, a third was driving with a blood alcohol level four times over the legal limit, etc. Although they're assigned to community service, they blow off most of their assignments and bristle at any sign of authority. They also use drugs and alcohol regularly, and it's unclear whether they'll use their newfound powers for positive purposes.
  • Violence is dark and realistic, with bloody physical combat that results in death or serious injury. For example, a character kills a man by stomping repeatedly on his head.
  • Graphic depictions of sex, upper-body nudity, and references to masturbation and other explicit acts (including urinating on a woman's breasts). Sexually charged banter includes unbleeped terms like "c--t," "c--k," "cum face," "p---y," "panty sniffer," "ball sack," "twat," "d--k," "prick," "tits," and "dildo." One character's powers are exclusively sexual: Anyone who touches her becomes instantly and uncontrollably aroused.
  • Characters frequently use unbleeped words like "f--k," "s--t," "bitch," and "wanker," in addition to lots of sexually charged talk.
  • Not applicable.
  • Most of the main characters smoke pot regularly and drink alcohol to get drunk. Some also use illegal drugs like cocaine.

What's the story?

When a strange electrical storm strikes down five delinquent young people who've been sentenced to community service in a fictional London borough, they awake to discover that they have powers they don't fully understand. But the odd gifts that make them MISFITS might come in handy when evil forces attack their town.


Is it any good?

 

It's easy to see why Misfits pulled in a BAFTA Television Award for Best Drama in its native Britain; and, thanks to Hulu, it will undoubtedly expand its fan base here in the United States. Because in spite of what you might feel as a parent about the show's uncensored swearing and graphic sex, it's a genuinely gripping series with a compelling story, well-penned characters, and undeniable cinematic style. The only catch is, it's not for kids.

Of course, an American adaptation of Misfits is reportedly in the works at ABC (starring Emily Osment and Jason Earles of Hannah Montana fame, no less). But as it's set to air on network television, you can rest assured that the U.S. version will be an entirely different kind of show. Depending on the outcome, who knows? Older kids might even get to watch it.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about traditional heroes (such as Superman) and antiheroes (such as X-Men's Wolverine) in popular media. What's the appeal of each type? Can an antihero still be heroic in spite of his or her imperfections?

  • How do British programs compare to American fare? If this series were to be adapted for American TV, what elements would have to change (especially in terms of language and sexual content)? Would toning down the show's graphic elements make it any less entertaining?

  • Does hearing so much unbleeped swearing dilute the impact of the iffy words? Are the show's writers pushing the envelope when it comes to language, or are the characters merely a reflection of the way real people talk?


This review was written by Kari Croop
Teen, 14 years old
July 18, 2011
 
Bad language, good story line.
This show is really, really great. The language is a huge issue as stated. A woman's breasts are shown in full view, nude. Long story short, be very careful if you decide to allow your kids to watch this show.

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Teen, 14 years old
November 11, 2011
 
Misfits- Good For Older Teens, But Watch Out In Some Episodes
I am certainly below the normal age group for Misfits, but that doesn't mean it is not a great show. Misfits is a British comedy-drama about five youth doing community payback who develop superpowers while caught in a freak hail storm. Our main characters include(and are well portrayed by):Nathan(Robert Sheehan), an annoying, get in your face, but hilarious boy who brings up humor in the most intense situations, Curtis(Nathan Stewarrt-Jarret), a former athlete who I think is actually very caring for others, Simon(Iwan Rheon), a very shy socially awkward young man who loves making videos, Alisha, (Antonia Thomas) a girl who loves being the center of attention, and Kelly(Lauren Socha), a girl who does not like being messed with. After ending up in community service, they all get caught in a freak hail storm, and gain interesting super powers. They are not the only ones to gain powers though... The gang ends up in very diverse situations, and through this, there is action, violence, mystery, drama, and a little romance. The content though, is very strong. Every episode contains strong language, mostly on Nathan's part, and sexual references. Almost every episode contains kissing at the least, but in one episode, there is upper nudity on screen with a woman, and three episodes contain the backside nudity of our three main male characters. Drugs and alcohol are seen frequently on screen, and not just social drinking is present. However, in all of this, older teens will certainly love seeing the relationships grow, action and mystery grow more intense, and Nathan's hilarious quotes will certainly bring laughs a plenty. I give Misfits 4/5 stars, and the Pause for 15 and older.

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Teen, 16 years old
March 9, 2012
 
Overt Sexuality Detracts from Great Plot
The show is great in my opinion. That is, the development of characters, the overall plot and premise, and amazing humor weaved into the hour long show. and that's all from just one episode - the pilot. However, the overt sexuality, nudity, and language detract from what the show could have been. The language is unfathomable and the depictions on-screen intercourse or the obvious visual references to sex is appalling in my opinion (I know this because I saw previews of other episodes). Though I loved the story line, it wasn't enough for me to sit through the rest of a series filled with such explicit content. I believe the sexual graphics depicted cross into or otherwise over the R rating used for movies in America. I definitely do not recommend it for kids, not unless over 18. If I was a parent, there would be no way I would let my kid watch this. That being said, other people may have different opinions but this is respectfully mine. In conclusion, I can't deny that the show is great and it's one of the funniest things I've seen, but I just cannot overlook the inappropriateness.

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Teen, 14 years old
April 11, 2012
 
Love this show, I'm a teen.
This show is hilarious. I'm 14 in 13 days. I get all of the jokes and LOVE this show. Obviously the characters in this show are not ones to follow. Not appropriate for anyone who is not a teen.

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This review was written by Kari Croop
TV rating:TV-MA
Network:Hulu
Cast:Iwan Rheon, Lauren Socha, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett
Genre:Science Fiction

This review was written by Kari Croop
 

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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.

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