Parents' Guide to

Alcatraz

By Matt Springer, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Dark, supernatural drama with strong violence, some humor.

TV Fox Drama 2012
Alcatraz Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 15+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Lianab
Lianab Adult
April 18, 2012
age 15+

my thoughts on Alcatraz

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
Charles H.
Charles H. Adult
March 10, 2012
age 14+

GORE

If you've been watching/keeping up with the newer episodes, you will notice that they are getting progressively more violent. In one episode, there are references to a man getting sawed to death with a chainsaw. Also, there are many graphic violent scenes. OVERALL: good show, don't watch at night, and it could loose a ton of the violence.

This title has:

Too much violence
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Taking its name from the infamous island prison near San Francisco, ALCATRAZ centers around a massive mystery: How did more than 300 prisoners and guards disappear from the facility just before its closing in the 1960s? What happened to these men, and why are they now appearing again 50 years later, seemingly unaged? After following a seemingly routine murder case, Detective Rebecca Madsen (Sarah Jones) is recruited by the enigmatic Emerson Hauser (Sam Neill) to help track down and investigate these missing people, who have begun appearing out of nowhere back in the prison they once called home.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (7 ):

Fans of Lost who are still looking for a series to fill its void might find something appealing in J.J. Abrams' dark police mystery drama. Alcatraz has the vibe down -- the pulse-pounding music, the moments of surprise and suspense, the enigmatic figure of authority who seems to know far more than he's letting on. (Plus, Lost's Hurley -- Jorge Garcia -- is one of the show's stars.)

On Alcatraz, the central conceit borders on the ludicrous: 300 criminals and guards disappear from the prison in the 1960s, but no one knows how or why, and now they're coming back unaged and ready to be evil again. It's like elements were drawn from a fish bowl and glued together on a sheet of paper. What makes Alcatraz watchable are the occasional flashes of wit in the scripting and some classic scenery-chewing from Neill, a longtime master at sideways glances that imply more than you can ever hope to understand.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Alcatraz's violence. Does it aid or detract from the story?

  • Do you expect all mysteries to be resolved? Or is there room to leave audiences guessing even after a show ends?

TV Details

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