Parents' Guide to

Away

By Matt Cabral, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Gripping series balances space thrills with family drama.

TV Netflix Drama 2020
Away Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 14+

Based on 6 parent reviews

Collegekid57
Collegekid57 Adult
October 10, 2020
age 12+

Aside from a few scenes, it could be totally family friendly

Spoilers ahead. There’s a few times where an erection is mentioned, the beginning where there’s a little nudity but once you get past the first episode that’s pretty much gone. There’s a lot of intense and dramatic scenes regarding the spaceship and will they make it or not so if your kid doesn’t like those scenes then it would be a hard show to watch. The girl disobeys her mother/father and sneaks out with her boyfriend and does other things she shouldn’t do. Overall it’s a good show to demonstrate the power of family and it portrays disability in a decent light, as one character ends up in a wheelchair quickly. My 13 year old sister lost interest in the show after 3ish episodes. I don’t remember if there was cursing or not but I think there’s a couple s—t in there just because of spaceship malfunctions and such.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
westernsky
westernsky Adult
September 20, 2020
age 15+

Pretty bland

Good show, there is a sex scene during the first episode and some same sex romance. Other than that it's okay.
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

AWAY follows astronaut Emma Green (Hilary Swank) as she leads an international crew on a risky, three-year mission to Mars. The astronauts face a number of trials and tribulations, both personally and technically, as they bravely attempt to complete their dangerous journey. The series spends as much time on Earth as it does in space, with much of the drama focused on Green's husband, Matt (Josh Charles), who commands the mission from the ground, and their daughter, Alexis (Talitha Eliana Bateman). In addition to coping with Emma's extended absence, the father and daughter face their own individual challenges at home.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (6 ):
Kids say (5 ):

In addition to featuring stunning exterior shots of the stars and breathtaking peeks at foreign planet surfaces, this series packs plenty of thrills aboard the crew's Mars-bound craft. With its very polished production values, Away will immediately appeal to fans of space-faring films like Gravity and Apollo 13. Episodes rarely reach their conclusion without nudging you to the edge of your seat with a scene that finds the beleaguered astronauts barely averting danger. As thrilling as these moments can be, however, they do take on a familiar, crisis-of-the-week feel as the series progresses.

Thankfully, the action among the stars is nicely balanced with ample drama back on Earth. Having committed to this risky, extended mission, Emma Green has left her family to cope with her absence, as well as whatever "normal" life throws their way. This conceit fuels the show's emotional core, one that frequently pulls at the heartstrings to the point where you might be fighting back a tear or two. Some of these moments can feel a bit manufactured, and the series does drift into heavy-handed melodrama territory. Still, excellent, grounded performances from both Swank and Charles generally ensure the heavy displays of emotion are more earnest than maudlin. Science fiction fans expecting a ripping action-adventure in the vein of Netflix's Lost in Space reboot might find themselves disappointed in Away's more cerebral, emotional take on the genre. Those who enjoy their stargazing with a heaping side of tear-jerking family drama, however, will want to follow this one all the way to Mars.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the exploration of space. What is the point of Away's mission to Mars? Does the importance of space travel outweigh its risks? Do any real-world, historical space missions remind you of Away's mission?

  • What are the various roles the astronauts play in Away? What specializations do they bring to the mission? Why were these particular astronauts chosen for this mission?

  • Why does Emma accept the mission to Mars? Has she chosen her profession over her family? What are the pros and cons of her traveling to Mars and leaving her family for three years?

TV Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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