Parents' Guide to American Nightmare

TV Netflix Drama 2024
American Nightmare TV show Poster: The back of a woman stands in front of the ocean. The entire image is red.

Common Sense Media Review

By Ty'Kira Smalls , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

Sexual violence, language in kidnapping-focused docuseries.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 16+

Based on 2 parent reviews

age 11+

Based on 1 kid review

What's the Story?

AMERICAN NIGHTMARE follows the story of the 2015 kidnapping case of Denise Huskins. When Aaron Quinn reports a home invasion that resulted in his girlfriend's disappearance, everyone is suspicious. Police want to blame Aaron, his family worries about his past, and Denise's family wants her back. But when Denise suddenly shows up hundreds of miles away, there are more accusations than there are answers. While the couple try to figure out who was behind all this, the police convince the media that everything is a hoax.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 2 ):
Kids say ( 1 ):

This series grows into an intriguing web of lies and betrayal. American Nightmare expertly brings viewers into this perplexing case, detail after harrowing detail. The story starts as a question of who to trust, but quickly brings the victims' point of view to the center. The strong language and discussions involving sexual assault and violence make this more suitable for older teens.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the fiction versus reality presented in American Nightmare. The film Gone Girl is brought up repeatedly in this case. How are crime and violence depicted in the media? Why do you think it's shown this way? What effect does that have in the real world?

  • How did the police show up in this case? How did it make you feel? Why do you think they acted this way? How do you see this in today's justice system?

TV Details

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American Nightmare TV show Poster: The back of a woman stands in front of the ocean. The entire image is red.

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