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Parents' Guide to

Dare Me

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Edgy cheerleading thriller has drinking, sex, and murder.

TV USA Drama 2019
Dare Me Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 16+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Niyahl
Niyahl Adult
July 30, 2021
age 14+

Disappointed

I’ve been in love with this show from the get go, but it was sad to hear they canceled the show right at a cliffhanger and only at 1 season! Very frustrating and disappointing. You still should watch it though.
JD1376
JD1376 Adult
January 1, 2021
age 17+

Not suitable without talking about it first...

The show is interesting and I can see why people like it, but this is MATURE! There is a lot of bullying, peer pressuring, eating disorder behavior, inappropriate boundaries with coach, drug use, lots of alcohol use (its weird to see Beth NOT drinking...), casual sex, and sex with minors (the girls might be seniors, but still could be 17). I think someone would need to be very mature in order to watch this, but would recommend discussing these red flags with your teen regardless.
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Based on Megan Abbott's popular book of the same name, DARE ME is a dramatic thriller about the lengths competitive cheerleaders from an Ohio high school will go to get what they want. Addy Hanlon (Herizen Guardiola) is best friends with Beth Cassidy (Marlo Kelly), fellow cheerleader and troubled captain of the fictitious Sutton High School squad. When new coach Collette French (Willa Fitzgerald) takes over the team, the dynamics change, and Beth and Addy's relationship grows tense. While the squad works towards the championships, some of their darker secrets some to light, As a result, when a terrible crime is committed in the small town, they are all left to wonder if someone they know is responsible.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (11 ):

This edgy series mixes teen drama with a criminal whodunnit while simultaneously looking at the physical and psychological extremes competitive cheerleaders endure. It's not clear who has committed the crime, or who's out to do harm to another, which creates a compelling mystery. Meanwhile, viewers are offered some melodramatic moments, as the personal problems of specific characters reveal themselves throughout the story. But sometimes the efforts to create suspense are drawn out too long, making it frustrating to watch at times. But Dare Me offers enough guilty pleasure to make it entertaining.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the role of the adults in the cheerleaders' lives. Is it possible for them to be flawed, and still be good role models?

  • Dare Me portrays cheerleading culture as psychologically and physically stressful to those who participate in it. How accurate do you think this is?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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