Parents' Guide to Code 404

TV Peacock Comedy 2020
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Common Sense Media Review

Marty Brown By Marty Brown , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 16+

Cop comedy has violence, profanity, police misconduct.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 16+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

CODE 404 follows detectives Major (Stephen Graham) and Carver (Daniel Mays) as they infiltrate a drug ring. On a bust gone wrong, DI Major is shot and killed. One year later, the police department brings him back to life using cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence. Re-partnered with Carver, who is now dating his wife Kelly (Anna Maxwell Martin), Major has to learn how to be a cop all over again.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

This series lifts its comedic premise from Robocop, but somehow loses the brutal satire of authoritarianism. Instead, Code 404 trivializes and dismisses police misconduct. Releasing it in 2020, a time when America is waking up to the severity of police brutality and misconduct throughout the country, feels woefully inappropriate.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the robot cop. Why would the police want to use artificial intelligence? What are the pros and cons of using new technology in the field? What are the successes and failures seen on Code 404?

  • Why is there pressure on the experiment to succeed? How does this affect the police department's behavior?

  • How do the police characters on Code 404 conduct themselves? Which behaviors are appropriate to the job? Which are inappropriate? How does DI Major's transformation affect his behavior?

TV Details

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