Paper Girls

TV review by Polly Conway, Common Sense Media
Paper Girls TV Show Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Suspenseful time-travel tale has violence, strong language.

Amazon Prime Video Drama 2022
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 3 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 5 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

Stands out for .

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Paper Girls is a suspenseful sci-fi series based on the same-named comic book about the time-traveling adventures of four 12-year-old newspaper delivery girls in the late 1980s. It has lots of strong language, including "f--k," "s--t," "a--hole," and "bitches," as well as racist slurs like "Jap." There's also violence: Characters are frequently in peril, a teen wields a gun and shoots another character, someone uses a hockey stick to kill an enemy, and there's lots of futuristic sci-fi weapon use. That said, it's also a story of loyalty and friendship, with positive messages about valuing differences.

Community Reviews

Deepers
Deepers Adult
August 10, 2022
age 18+

Too much swearing!!!

The show is well done and interesting, but I couldn't take more than 2 episodes because of the CONSTANT use of the f-word and other strong curse words. It seems to be cursing for cursing's sake. It does not add anything to the show and is way over the top. Does anybody (especially a 12 yr old) actually talk like that? If so, I hope I never meet them.

This title has:

Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
BigdogTim7
BigdogTim7 Adult
August 3, 2022
age 16+

Great Show, but for Mature Audience Only!

I personally love time travel genres of any type unless they are just poorly written. This show does so many things well in creating each character and building on what is a new relationship for each of them from the very first episode as “Paper Girls”. My issue with this show is the pervasive and constant profanity as if that type of communication is normal in society, which it is not and I’m from that time period and came from a broken home like the character Mac and she is the only character that may use that language, except when a group becomes friends over time, like these 12 year old girls do, their typically is no need to put up the façade of the tough girl. The language is neither intelligent, doesn’t add to the show, will remove the seemingly targeted viewers of that age and a bit older, and it is not language that is allowed in Schools or in places of Business. The pervasive use of hard profanity in every episode keeps me from recommending this show to anyone under 16. If you go to IMDB and read reviews, you will see an immoral fan base that simply can’t understand why anyone would have a problem with their children watching the show just because of the profanity, but I do not believe those individuals have grown up yet or have Children to safeguard themselves.

This title has:

Too much swearing
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In 1988 Cleveland, four newspaper delivery PAPER GIRLS meet up before dawn on what appears to be a regular day-after-Halloween. It's Erin's (Riley Lai Nelet) first day. However, it soon becomes apparent that among the smashed pumpkins and lingering moments of mayhem, something sinister is afoot. In an instant, the girls find themselves time-traveling to 2019, where they meet their older selves and must fight together to save the world.

Is It Any Good?

While this comic-based series will no doubt garner comparisons to Stranger Things, it's got its very own retro adventure vibe that sets it apart from anything else on television. Each of the four protagonists is well drawn (not surprising, as they originated as comic book characters), and it's fun to watch their smaller internal battles as well as the overarching fight to save the world. The young actors come together beautifully to create a lively crew that faces formidable challenges. The time-travel premise is both fun and ominous; for families looking to binge a new adventure, Paper Girls delivers the goods.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the job of delivering papers. Why do you think it's a job often given to kids?

  • How do the paper girls get along at first? How do their friendships change over time?

  • How do the paper girls exhibit courage and bravery? Why are these important character strengths?

TV Details

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