Common Sense Media Review
Australian tween sci-fi mystery is a delight, some peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Unlisted
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 30 kid reviews
Kids say the series is engaging and thrilling, drawing attention for its suspenseful plot centered on mind control and a secretive organization targeting children, though some scenes are deemed scary or disturbing for younger viewers. While many praise the show's creativity and cultural representation, there's criticism regarding the unrealistic portrayal of hacking, and concerns about language and the mature themes that may not be suitable for all kids.
- suspenseful plot
- unrealistic hacking
- scary scenes
- cultural representation
- viewer age concerns
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In THE UNLISTED, Dru and Kal are twin brothers who are enveloped in a government mystery when their school begins to experiment on the students at their school. Their troubles began simply enough when Dru convinces Kal to take a school mandated dental check-up in his place. Little does Kal realizes that it will mean getting a double dose of a secret injection the government is giving to all the students in order to make them faster, stronger, smarter -- and more compliant. With one twin receiving none of the benefits of the injection, and the other being twice as smart and fast and his peers, it's only a matter of time before the boys are found out. Can they find other kids who've escaped from the government program and help them before it's too late?
Is It Any Good?
This Australian drama is fairly light and fun, despite the overtones of menace. The main family, the Sharmas, are an Australian family of Indian descent, preparing to celebrate Diwali just as the series starts. The sense of danger comes mostly from the adults at the school and secret organizations that are committed to keeping this project a secret. As a result, the show does play on some "us versus them" thinking regarding teen and adult relationships, but the actual "bad guys" don't include all adults and it's fun to discover the plot along with the kids.
It's also great to see a highly diverse cast of characters without that being the point of The Unlisted. The grandmother of the boys also plays a prominent role in the family, modeling a healthy intergenerational relationship, something not typically depicted on shows involving tweens. It's the lead actors and those that play their family that really sell the show. It's fun, bright, and interesting; this is a really great choice for tweens who want some serious sci-fi mystery but aren't quite ready for Lost or other grown-up conspiracy shows.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about mysteries. What's fun about trying to solve them?
Families can talk about the role family culture plays in The Unlisted. What are the Sharmas like? What kinds of things do they do together as a family? How does their Indian heritage play a role?
Families can talk about the relationship between siblings, especially twins. How do Kal and Dru communicate? Do they ever fight?
TV Details
- Premiere date : December 8, 2019
- Cast : Vrund Rao , Ved Rao
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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