Common Sense Media Review
By Polly Conway
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Stellar superhero story is ultraviolent, dark, riveting.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Daredevil
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 45 parent reviews
Parents say the show is praised for its great storytelling, compelling characters, and impressive action, but it is consistently noted for its extreme violence and mature themes, making it unsuitable for younger viewers. While the first season is generally well-received, subsequent seasons tend to diverge in quality and appropriateness, with many parents advocating for caution regarding its graphic content.
- intense violence
- mature themes
- variable quality
- appropriate age
- compelling narrative
- graphic content
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 127 kid reviews
Kids say the show is an intense and captivating experience, often praised for its engaging storyline, complex characters, and exceptional performances. However, the graphic violence, including scenes of brutality and gore, has led many reviewers to suggest it is best suited for mature audiences aged 14 and up, with warnings about its dark themes and occasional mild sexual content.
- intense storyline
- graphic violence
- suitable for mature teens
- complex characters
- minimal sexual content
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Newly minted laywer Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) and his partner, Foggy Nelson (Eldon Henson), are just starting their law practice, and there's a problem: no clients. Somewhat unscrupulous Foggy is not above ambulance-chasing, which is how they discover Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll), framed for murder and in danger. Meanwhile, the altruistic Murdock, who happens to be blind, has a side job: fighting crime as his alter ego, DAREDEVIL, by using his incredible hand-to-hand combat skills and ultra-heightened senses. There's a crime syndicate that runs deep through the city's underbelly; its orders come from the mysterious, ruthless kingpin Wilson Fisk (Vincent D'Onofrio). As Murdock discovers the nefarious ties between city crime and local construction company Union Allied—and later, between an ancient evil and the fellow heroes and villains who pop up in the city—he uncovers even more mysteries that require all his skills as an empathetic lawyer and as the justice-seeking Daredevil.
Is It Any Good?
The show is incredibly violent; it doesn't shy away from showing stranglings, eye gougings, and bloody stabbings, and its intense nature is probably way too much for younger viewers. Daredevil's origin story is told in limited flashbacks, but it's all that's necessary to understand how the son of a struggling boxer became an honest but brutal lawyer/superhero. Viewers will warm to the quiet, charming Murdock (alter ego: Daredevil) immediately. Cox does a lovely job of reconciling his two personas; when he unleashes his pent-up rage on various criminals, it feels warranted.
Stylistically, Daredevil is perfection. Shot in yellows, greens, and blues, the shadowy world Murdock inhabits is also filled with light, streaming in through apartment windows and alleys. As a comic book crossover, it's not too cartoonish or over the top, and Henson as Foggy brings just the right amount of comic relief to lighten what could become a dour tone. The show's few flaws come when it adheres too tightly to old-school comic clichés, including a damsel in distress and the presence of stereotypical Russian and Asian gangsters. But overall, Daredevil is a wonderfully executed, very welcome addition to the Marvel TV universe.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Daredevil shows disabilities. How does being blind affect Murdock's life? What adjustments does he have to make at work as a lawyer? What about as a crime fighter?
Do you think the show would be as effective if it were less violent? Why, or why not?
Do you consider Daredevil a moral hero? Where does the line blur? Is this similar to, or different from, other superheroes' moral struggles?
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 10, 2015
- Cast : Charlie Cox , Vincent D'Onofrio , Elden Henson
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Action
- Topics : Superheroes
- TV rating :
- Award : Emmy - Emmy Award Nominee
- Last updated : April 11, 2026
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