Parents' Guide to

Californication

By Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 18+

Duchovny comedy could be called Sex Files.

TV Showtime Comedy 2007
Californication 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 17+

Based on 11 parent reviews

Musiclovergig
Musiclovergig Parent of 18-year-old
August 14, 2022
age 18+

Perfect Series

This show is absolutely amazing in every way possible. The writing, the acting, the plots, everything perfectly comes together to make a top tier series that gets better with every season. Not for kids, adults only, for real.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
jcmcdowell
jcmcdowell Adult
November 15, 2021
age 18+

Well-Made, but too much sex!

This is a really good series and I would watch more of it, but I watched the first few episodes, and it just has too much sex, and I didn’t continue. It was really good besides that, and it is a shame that the people who made this series felt like they had to put as much sex in it as they did. I am also surprised that there is a 4/5 for sex. It should be a big time 5/5. Besides that, there are multiple verbal and physical fights, frequent swearing, and many drinking scenes. There is nothing redeeming from this TV series, except for one thing I picked up on in the Episode 8 of Season 1, which is to not go so far that you cannot find your way back, and family comes first. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone except adults.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 11 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Hank Moody (David Duchovny) is a talented, successful writer in the midst of a personal crisis. His best-selling book has been turned into a Hollywood romantic comedy, hitting his sense of dignity in the gut. His ex, Karen (Natascha McElhone), is about to marry another guy, while his 12-year-old daughter, Becca (Madeleine Martin), is beginning to experiment with sexuality and parties. To deal with his writer's block and emotional struggles, Hank drinks and beds everything he can find -- and yet somehow remains likeable.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (11):
Kids say (8):

Duchovny turns in a fabulously wry, cynical performance as Hank, a Los Angeles-based writer with a particularly active sex life, in this adults-only pay-cable series that packs brilliant humor, wild sex, and poignant moments into each half-hour episode. Along with the show's graphic sex scenes -- which feature full female and partial male nudity -- expect hilarious conversations between Hank and Karen, Hank and Becca, and Hank and his agent that bristle with brilliance.

Adults who are heading toward or in the midst of a midlife crisis will surely identify with Hank, even if he's cooler (and more messed up) than any normal viewer will ever be. Though teens might enjoy the witty repartee between Hank and his cohorts -- as well as the show's depictions of the wild lifestyle of a successful Hollywood player -- Californication's graphic sex (not to mention uncensored language, smoking, drinking, and drug use) will likely have parents saving this one for after kids of all ages are in bed.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how sex tends to be portrayed in the media. Do you think many real people are as sexually active as many movie and TV show characters? Do you consider these characters promiscuous? What are the consequences of sexual habits like Hank's? Though Hank says he's unhappy, he seems like he's having lots of fun having sex with multiple partners -- what do you think of that conflicting idea? Is there a "right" age to start having sex?

TV Details

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