Constantine
Constantine
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Constantine follows a self-described "exorcist, demonologist, and master of the dark arts" on an unending quest to fight supernatural evil. That translates into darkly violent scenes designed to scare that, although tempered for network television, are still effectively unsettling. The main character also is a heavy drinker and smoker, and characters use a lot of gateway slang (think "bollocks" and "bloody").
Community Reviews
Enternatining and fun- may be too mature
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What's the Story?
Banished to an asylum after being framed for a young girl's murder, John CONSTANTINE (Matt Ryan) has largely walked away from fighting evil. But when supernatural events he can't ignore pull him back into service, he renews his reluctant quest to save lives with support from his faithful friend Chas (Charles Halford) and an angel (Harold Perrineau) assigned to watch over him.
Is It Any Good?
If you're not already familiar with the DC Comics series it's based on, Constantine might strike you as confusing, far-fetched, or flat-out ridiculous -- or all of the above. But die-hard comic book fans are far more likely to forgive Constantine's flaws and embrace the series' unexpectedly campy tone, which, depending on your take, may or may not be exactly what the writers were going for.
The one thing Constantine gets right from the start, however, is its special effects, delivering some serious frights for a network show that are definitely not for the faint of heart. From dead-eyed lunatics possessed by dark spirits to a ghostly grandmother gone horribly, horribly wrong, prepare to be scared -- and sufficiently spooked.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Constantine's hero status. Is he a hero, an antihero, or something in between? How does he measure up as a role model?
How does Constantine compare with its source material (the DC horror comic book series Hellblazer) and the 2005 film adaptation? What changes were made to the original story and characters to conform to different mediums?
Does Constantine bring anything new to the table when it comes to shows about the supernatural? What's the appeal of dark themes in popular media? Is it a fleeting trend or a theme that's here to stay?
TV Details
- Premiere date: October 24, 2014
- Cast: Harold Perrineau, Matt Ryan, Charles Halford
- Network: NBC
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Book Characters, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: March 25, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Teen vampire series has female role model; sex, violence.
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Supernatural
Terrifying guilty pleasure is iffy for sensitive teens.
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Doctor Who
Long-running British sci-fi series still thrills fans.
For kids who love scares
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