Common Sense Media Review
Morally ambiguous show has crime, drugs, Latino stereotypes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Breaking Bad
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 90 parent reviews
Parents say this show is a highly acclaimed drama that explores dark themes of crime, drugs, and moral dilemmas, with intense character development and exceptional storytelling. While many praise its artistry and depth, the explicit content, including violence and drug use, has led to warnings regarding suitability for younger viewers, with recommendations typically suggesting parental guidance for those under 16.
- dark themes
- intense character development
- explicit content
- parental guidance advised
- captivating storytelling
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 281 kid reviews
Kids say this TV show is a complex blend of innovation, educational value, and dark themes related to drug use, which makes it a point of contention among parents regarding its suitability for younger audiences. While some praise it for teaching science and showcasing moral ambiguities, others warn of its graphic violence, drug depiction, and inappropriate language, asserting that it may not be suitable for children without appropriate maturity and understanding.
- educational themes
- graphic content
- age-appropriate viewing
- moral ambiguity
- drug depiction
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In BREAKING BAD, Walter White (Bryan Cranston) is a Phoenix high school chemistry teacher working a second job to support his wife, Skylar (Anna Gunn), and their teenage son, Walt Jr. (R.J. Mitte), who has cerebral palsy. Desperately hard up for money and constantly put down by those around him, Walt reaches the breaking point when he's diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. He connects with former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) to start making and selling methamphetamines in order to raise money for his struggling family. As the seasons progress, Walt's original intent to provide for his family blurs with greed as he becomes a successful drug lord.
Is It Any Good?
All of the characters in this gripping show are complex and flawed (many very deeply), and they all make mistakes and sometimes baffling choices. In Breaking Bad, the line between "good" and "bad" isn't clear; in fact, nobody comes off looking particularly good here, including Walt's DEA agent brother-in-law, Hank (Dean Norris), who's brusque and often insensitive. But Cranston's award-winning performance is one of the best things about the show. Forget the spacey, clueless dad of Malcolm in the Middle: Here he transforms into one of the most iconic anti-heroes in recent TV history. The rest of the ensemble, particularly Paul, Giancarlo Esposito, and Gunn, match Cranston's prowess. The show has tight direction and the writing is intelligent, even as it deals with amoral characters.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why it's interesting to explore what happens when good people go bad. Is Walt's behavior in Breaking Bad justified? How do you think you'd react in a similar situation?
Why is it important to have access to health care and dignified salaries? Does Walt's difficulty in paying for exorbitant health care costs justify his actions?
Why are the Latino characters portrayed in a negative way? How could the show have avoided stereotypes without losing Latino characters?
What's the impact of anti-heroes like Walt on the greater culture?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 20, 2008
- Cast : Aaron Paul , Anna Gunn , Bryan Cranston
- Network : AMC
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Awards : Emmy - Emmy Award Winner , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : April 25, 2026
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