 | 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. |
The X-Files
- Syfy, TNT
- Genre: Science Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Brilliant sci-fi drama for brave teens and up.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this dark sci-fi drama can be very scary at times, sometimes depicting monsters, deformed humans, disturbing scenarios, and violent acts. The show's mythology centers on government conspiracy, cover-ups, and the possibility of alien abductions. Younger viewers may be frightened by the possibility of abduction and scared by the often-graphic images of slimy creatures and the constant, tension-building entrances into dark holes, pits, and sewers.
What's the story?
The show features Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) as FBI agents charged with investigating cases that involved the paranormal. Along with dark, often-scary episodes about specific creatures or unexplained events, the show revolves around a mythology of government conspiracies and cover-ups related to extraterrestrials. Mulder is deeply suspicious of the government and believes fervently in the existence of extraterrestrials, due to the fact that he remembers his sister being abducted by aliens when he was a child. Scully, a trained medical doctor, starts out as a skeptic assigned to the X-Files to debunk Mulder's unpopular theories, but she eventually comes to believe in the paranormal.
Is it any good?
Both creepy and intriguing, THE X-FILES was hugely popular during its nine-year run on Fox in the 1990s and early 2000s (it now airs in syndication and is available on DVD). Teens who like sci-fi or horror will enjoy The X-Files for its complexity and rich character development. Parents may want to preview episodes for appropriateness for younger or more sensitive teens, since some shows are scarier than others. Viewers jumping into the middle of a season may be confused by the episodes dealing with detailed back stories.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about their beliefs about aliens. Is there life on other planets? If so, what form do you think it might take? Have humans already had contact with alien beings? Are aliens to be feared or sought out? What types of paranormal or spiritual situations do family members believe in (ESP, psychics, faith healing, etc.)? Families can also discuss Mulder and Scully's partnership. Why do they make such a good team? What does each bring to their relationship?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
A classic scary show
This program is a great show.
The only 3 issues that overprotecting parents may have is the mild, but strong, sexual content that is most commonly more disturbing than sexual. Weird fetishes such as inbreeding and in one episode there was a situation where somebody would have sex with another person, then steal that person's gender to become somebody else of the opposite sex.
Then the violence is pretty strong too.
Then there is the scare factor which is more creepy and chilling than scary.
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AGE
Don't watch it at night!
I learned to like this from my parents, who used to watch it when I was a baby. David Duchovny is one of my favourite actors, and the incredibly memorable theme music has always been in my head subconsciously, since I was 3! I'm not really into gross stuff, but this is one of those sci-fi things that I can tolerate, and happen to like a lot.
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AGE
Scary!
The scariest sci-fi show ever. Not much violence, but truly creepy. You must watch Muldur and Scully, for X-Files is awesome.
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AGE
Great 90s gem
The only possible offense I imagine coming from this show it is it’s ever-building tension, which derives from its science fiction themes. Great show that represents quality TV and is completely appropriated for anyone which shows some good taste.
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AGE
Can be VERY scary sometimes
One episode freaked the crap out of me when I was 11.
This show can sometimes be very gory including regurgitated severed fingers, graphically slicing off hands, being fried alive and much more.
Some episodes like "Patience" and "X-Cops" can be very scary.
At least two episodes feature prostitutes,(One of them was "Orison", that was also pretty gory).
Some episodes are just tame.
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AGE
Favourite TV Show!
Awesome! Some episodes could be gory, for mature audiences!
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AGE
Delightfully scary
While I love the X-Files, I think it may be a little too scary for kids. I recommend it for ages 13+.
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Kid, 12 years old
January 9, 2011
AGE
An amazingly disturbing show. In a good way.
Love this show, but it isn't really for kids younger than 11, especially ones that get scared easily. The most inappropriate episodes to watch out for are 2shy, squeeze, oubliette, and gender bender. 2shy and gender bender are also a bit sexual. The episode oubliette is very disturbing, as a man kidnapped young teenagers.
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AGE
Amazing.
A very well written and produced T.V. show. In my top three shows ( at least). Can be intense though.
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AGE
BEST SHOW EVER
the xf in my screename stands for the x-files. I think its an awesome show. I got an autographed pic Gillian Anderson. (and no thats y I like the show)
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Networks: | Syfy, TNT |
| Cast: | David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
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