 | 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. |
Supernatural
- CW, TNT
- Genre: Science Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Terrifying guilty pleasure is iffy for sensitive teens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this thriller series is the epitome of a know-your-kid scenario. Its mature content ensures kids and tweens are out, and if your teens are sensitive to violence or the concept of the paranormal, then it’s not for them either. Excessive graphic violence is the main concern, with torture, beatings, gunfire, stabbings, beheadings, and the like portrayed as everyday occurrences for the characters. Likewise, the idea that unseen evil forces are constantly at play, threatening human existence itself, will cause some angst among all but the sturdiest viewers. Add to that the common use of strong language like "damn," "bitch," and "hell," as well as the characters’ (especially Dean’s) casual attitude toward sex and objectification of women, and it’s clear this one’s best for older viewers. That said, those who tune in will be treated to a well crafted series that’s as much about family bonds and raw human emotion as it is about the paranormal.
What's the story?
X-Files-meets-Hardy Boys paranormal thriller SUPERNATURAL follows the lives of Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles), whose extraordinary past set in motion a unique destiny that brings the guys face to face with evil in every imaginable form. When their mother died in a mysterious fire when the boys were young, their father dedicated his life to finding and destroying the demon responsible, eventually dragging his sons into the fray as well. Now they travel the country in their father’s car, hunting and killing every paranormal monster they can track, all the while searching for clues to their own unfolding destiny. As the years pass, they lose friends at the hands of countless enemies, whose faces change along with their motivations. Although they face unimaginable threats to their brotherly bond, Sam and Dean’s loyalty to each other is never tested for long, and their devotion to each other keeps them going in the face of such daunting challenges.
Is it any good?
Rooted in multicultural folklore and playing on raw human emotion, Supernatural has been such a hit with fans that its longevity has greatly exceeded creator Eric Kripke’s intended trio of seasons. Padalecki and Ackles are stellar in their roles as tortured souls Sam and Dean, each of whom wrestles with his own inner demons in addition to engaging real ones in battle. So many true-to-life issues surface in this series -- family responsibility vs. individual motivations, destiny vs. free will, the fine line between good and evil -- that astute viewers will see it’s much more than a pretty-boy drama (although the fact that the guys aren’t bad to look at is a bonus).
It’s too bad that such a smart show couldn’t be enjoyed by a larger audience, but there’s just too much troubling content afoot to make this one acceptable for most teens. Violence is the main offender, since each story centers on the guys’ quest to kill some paranormal monster of sorts, and later seasons delve into the spiritual world with the introduction of some surprisingly vengeful angels. Although their intentions are always good, the guys’ lifestyle is questionable at best -- marked by credit-card fraud, heavy drinking, casual sex, and their own deals with the devil.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the series’ main theme of family loyalty. How far does Sam and Dean’s loyalty to each other go? Is this aspect of the story believable? How does their relationship compare to your own with your family?
Teens: Does this series stereotype any group of characters based on race or gender? How are the female characters portrayed in particular? How does this differ from females’ roles in classic horror films or shows?
What impression does this series give about death? How are characters’ deaths dealt with? Is this show’s violence more or less gratuitous than that in other shows or movies you’ve seen? Do you think modern allowances for violence in the media has desensitized viewers?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Paranormal thriller is not for the squeamish.
I love this show for its creepiness factor! I have a few seasons on my IPod that I watch all of the time... Even at night when I'm alone in my basement and it's pitch black. I know that's not good for my sanity as far as thinking something's gonna get me while I'm sleeping but that's just how I watch shows like this and Ghost Hunters. It makes it more fun... Swearing is quite common between the Winchester brothers but that should be the least of your worries when watching; images of ghosts and other supernatural beings still give me nightmares at times, especially the episodes about the ladies in white (don't know what I'm talking about? Google it.) Just make sure your not too sensitive or squeamish before watching this. Comments? Questions? Concerns? Email me: ogormanscommonsense at yahoo. :)
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AGE
My favorite show
I love it! I love it! Dean and Sam are the best!
I don't think it's scary. If you like handsome guys (like Dean and Sam), want something a little bit scary and amazing story - this is your show!
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AGE
rofl-iffy for 16-17?????
rofl! Iffy for 16-17??? OMD. sex-oh my gosh the ony sexual thing about this show is the words that come out of deans mouth. It implies that because of his "bad boy" nature that he might have shared a one night stand with a girl. But thats not the point of the show! look past it people! Violence-okay, who wants to watch a show that doesn't look real? No one is forcing you to watch it, it's meant for only the viewers that can handle, so dont give it a bad review becuase you're 8 year old can't see it because its not meant for them!! As far as deeinking goes, dean does get drunk sometimes, but he's of age, and it just adds to the humor in the show, its not promoting you to go out and drink! LOVE THIS SHOW IF YOU CAN HANDLE IT YOU SHOULD WATCH IT!!!
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AGE
Love this show.
"Guilty pleasure"? No, it's just a good show.
My parents used to let me watch this when I was 11. It scared me pretty badly back then, but now it doesn't scare me at all, and it's my favourite show. Don't let kids under 13 watch this TV show. It can get pretty brutal, and it is a question of age aswell as maturity as to whether you should let your child watch this show.
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AGE
13, 14, and 15 year olds should just back off, and accept that they are not 'grown up' yet.
I love this show! But if you're letting your kids/teenagers under 16 watch your parenting skills aren't too great, good luck with that, there are a few episodes that its like you might as well be letting your kids watch "Dexter."
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AGE
Amazing <3
I myself began watching this show at age twelve, and instantly fell in love with it. Sam and Dean have, over the course of time, easily become two of my favorite fictional characters. It is rather violent and can be scary to more sensitive children, but if they're tolerant enough and can handle those things it shouldn't be a problem. Dean, the older brother, also sleeps around and can - in quite a few episodes - be found either charming women at a bar for information or because he thinks they're attractive. Either way, he's not exactly the most child-friendly of heroes. Sam, obviously younger than his sibling counterpart, is the more thoughtful of the two, and does most of the research for their different cases. The relationship between he and his brother is intriguing at worst and extremely complex and interesting at best, and is a good example to show the value of family. Gender might also play a part in deciding if this is appropriate or not; boys might be drawn to the violence, while girls might gravitate towards it because of the two extremely attractive brothers. Take that into consideration also when deciding to watch it or to let your kids do so. Overall, it's a great show and I highly recommend it for younger teens and adults, too. (Just to throw this in... I fell for Dean and Sam. Both of them. They're too gorgeous not to <3)
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AGE
Absolutely love this show, and have been watching it for seven years now.
Only thing you need to watch out for is Deans mouth, otherwise, its just a corny Saturday night curl up. The violence isn't a problem, though people with weak stomachs and minds might be affected.
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AGE
love the show
love this show.me,my mom,my dad and my two 15 year old friends watch it all the time. but it can be scary for younger viewers and as the series goes on it can get a bit gorey to the point where i have 2 look away from the screen.but i think that sam and dean are good role models because they both have their issues and their own problems but they get through it in the end usually with the help of each other and sometimes their friends.
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AGE
I think its ok for teens
I love this show and my kids also loved watching it until we were told it was not appropriate for them. The violence is not realistic and deals with monsters and ghosts primarily, so with proper parental supervision and discussion teens can understand it is make believe.
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Networks: | CW, TNT |
| Cast: | Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
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