Common Sense Media Review
Long-running crime drama has intense violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
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Criminal Minds
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 40 parent reviews
Based on 199 kid reviews
Kids say this show is a captivating and intense exploration of crime and psychological themes. However, it contains dark content, including violence, sexual assault, and other mature topics, making it more suitable for viewers aged 13 and up, depending on personal maturity levels.
- dark themes
- viewer maturity
- graphic content
- strong characters
- educational value
- role models
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
CRIMINAL MINDS follows a team of FBI psychological profilers as they track down criminals. Led by agents including Jason Gideon (Mandy Patinkin), Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson), Jennifer "J.J." Jareau (A.J. Cook), and David Rossi (Joe Mantegna), the profilers use their encyclopedic knowledge of the human mind and patterns of behavior, along with cutting-edge technology, to read the minds of the killers and get ahead of their next moves.
Is It Any Good?
Like most good crime dramas, this long-running series offers detective stories full of interesting details and lots of suspense. Despite the occasional lack of originality and endless violent moments, Criminal Minds has garnered decades' worth of loyal fans. It has also inspired spin-offs: Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.
Over the years, characters played by actors such as Jeanne Tripplehorn, Cook, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Damon Gupton, Paget Brewster, and Aisha Tyler have come and (sometimes) gone. But the show's longevity is due to its compelling narratives, and it became a pop culture favorite thanks to its insertion of notable quotes that summarize the significance of each episode. For those able to stomach intense violence and gore, this is a smart, darkly funny, and intriguing series worth tuning into.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the amount of violence in crime dramas -- particularly in Criminal Minds. How realistic are these programs' storylines? Is violence exaggerated for the sake of dramatic tension, or is it merely a reflection of the world we live in? What do you think draws viewers into plots that are essentially designed to disturb them?
How does the show compare with other crime dramas on television? Does it do anything differently to distinguish itself from similar series? How do the characters demonstrate communication, perseverance, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
Over the years, the show developed some strong female role models. Who are your favorite women on the show, and what might make them inspirational to viewers? Do they go against stereotypes in any ways?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 22, 2005
- Cast : Joe Mantegna , Shemar Moore , Thomas Gibson
- Network : CBS
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication , Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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