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Paranormal State

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Eerie docuseries explores the spirit world.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–14

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The series is more creepy than educational and focuses heavily on evil and demonic possession. Buell isn't an ordained minister or therapist but considers himself to be a "warrior" against spirits. Team members have various religious backgrounds, but many Christian rituals are shown. One team member is an occultist. PRS members are Caucasian men and women.
  • Violence:

    Discussions about people being murdered and their spirits coming back. Descriptions of violent acts performed by angry spirits and demons. Very creepy tone overall.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Words like "damn" and "hell" are audible; stronger words are bleeped.
  • Consumerism:

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

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Paranormal State was written by Melissa Camacho

Parents need to know that this eerie reality series explores alleged paranormal activity affecting both children and adults. The discussions about ghosts, demons, and the occult may be frightening for young kids (and those who just get freaked out by that sort of thing). Expect some use of language like "damn" and "hell" (stronger words are bleeped). The show includes footage of Christian rituals like prayer, sprinkling holy water, and exorcisms.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the different ways that the media uses the idea of ghosts and spirits to entertain audiences. How do movies like Ghostbusters, The Exorcist, and The Sixth Sense depict the paranormal? Why do people purposely choose to watch things that will frighten them? What's the appeal? And what role does the belief in spirits, ghosts, and the paranormal play in our lives and in our culture?
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More on Paranormal State

What’s the Story?

PARANORMAL STATE is a docuseries that chronicles the research activities of a team of college students who investigate alleged cases of paranormal activity. It centers on Pennsylvania State student Ryan Buell, whose frightening childhood experience with what he believes to be a supernatural entity prompted him to create the Paranormal Research Society (PRS) in order to help people find explanations for strange things happening around them.

Is It Any Good?

Buell and his senior team members spend hours training students and investigating cases that range from strange noises to alleged demonic possessions. Trained therapists and members of the clergy often join them. The team uses electronic voice phenomena, video cameras, and other technology to monitor visitors from the "beyond." Cleansing rituals -- including the use of holy water, prayer, and exorcisms -- are used to push spirits away and bring peace.

The series attempts to present paranormal research in a way that's both clinical and informative. And Buell tries to sound scientific by keeping a "director's log" (which sounds oddly like something straight out of a Star Trek episode). But the show is more eerie than educational, as viewers watching while the team tries to communicate with the spirit world during "dead time" -- the time of night when paranormal entities are most active. Furthermore, Buell's frequent discussions about fighting evil make this series darker than other shows that deal with "the other side" and might be too frightening for young and/or more sensitive viewers.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    SPOOKY!!!!!

    it can be scary only 1 scared me cuz it had an exersiam. (im hard 2 scare too)

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    SPOOKY!!!!!

    it can be scary only 1 scared me cuz it had an exersiam. (im hard 2 scare too)

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    SPOOKY!!!!!

    it can be scary only 1 scared me cuz it had an exersiam. (im hard 2 scare too)

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 4.0

    spoooooooky

    my mom whaced this and she was scared (im not as scared as her) but still its scary. its super creepy ! i cant wach it ok . its more basec on demonolgy and the devil. so all my fellow tweens out thaere DO NOT WHACH THIS SHOW!!!!

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 4.0

    Creepy but fun

    This is a fun show to watch to scare yourself. It doesn't always have explanations, which is always a bit spooky. I wouldn't recomend it to younger than 12, unless your kid is mature. If you're a parent that has problems with the pagan religion, there is a bit of that in there. One episode I saw even had an occult ritual performed by one of the PRS members. Great show to watch when you're alone at night ^_^

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