Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence and occult themes in surreal multilingual horror.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
1899
What's the Story?
In 1899, a woman named Maura Franklin (Emily Beecham, The Pursuit of Love) is experiencing a nightmare that involves being held captive in an asylum. She awakens to find herself aboard a ship that's chugging across the Atlantic. Covering her scarred wrists with her sleeves, she feverishly tells herself she's not crazy. On the table at the foot of the bed is a letter addressed to someone named Henry. She reads it: "I found out what our father did. Meet me in New York. Don't trust anyone..." Meanwhile, the captain of the ship (Andreas Pietschmann, Dark) receives a set of coordinates implying a lost ship is nearby. To the dismay of the passengers, he changes course to track down the mysterious ship. What will they find on the ship? Will they reach New York safely -- as they've set out to do?
Is It Any Good?
Haunting and dark, this spooky series plumbs the depths of perception and human capacity. In 1899, a ship has been lost at sea for four months, and another ship in its fleet hears its plea via Morse code. Some passengers seem connected by the symbols they wear or carry, some seem to be innocents caught in a surreal web as the sea churns, and compasses spin.
Some viewers might be compelled to continue the voyage with the multilingual crew of the Kerberos (aka Cerberus, the hound of the Greek god of the underworld, Hades). But be warned, there are scary things that have happened at sea, and they might stick with sensitive viewers. Adults who crave a little sophistication with their serving of horror (Kate Chopin's book The Awakening, found on a main character's bedside table, might serve as a clue) might feel right at home with the purposeful setting. Some might feel bludgeoned by the unsubtle trickery. Teens will want to see this one -- but its occult vibes and violent undertones might overwhelm sensitive viewers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about horror and suspense in movies like 1899. What makes a movie or show scary? Do you like to be frightened?
Passengers on the ship Kerebos speak many different languages. How do they communicate when they don't share a language? What makes a good communicator?
Technology is limited for the people onboard the ship. They depend on human effort to shovel coal into the boilers to power the ship, and compasses to guide the navigation. What happens when these technologies are compromised?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 17, 2022
- Cast : Emily Beecham , Andreas Pietschmann , Miguel Bernardeau
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , History
- Character Strengths : Communication , Perseverance , Self-control
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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