Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Traveling magician performs dangerous, intense stunts.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Death By Magic
What's the Story?
DEATH BY MAGIC is a reality series featuring British magician Drummond Money-Coutts, a.k.a. DMC, as he travels around the world to uncover the stories of magicians who died performing dangerous stunts. From Cape Town, South Africa to Miami, Florida, he goes to sites where magicians lost their lives in order to learn more about each trick and the fatal events that followed. With the information he collects, he devises and performs his own interpretation of the death-defying illusion in front of a live audience. Throughout his journeys, he also performs his own trademark tricks, and sometimes reveals a few secrets of the trade.
Is It Any Good?
This dramatic reality series will have your heart pounding as DMC theatrically performs over-the-top, life-threatening stunts designed to both entertain and utterly freak people out. The magician successfully builds the tension up in each episode by talking about the dangers posed by each trick, how other magicians died in the attempt, and, on occasion, discussing his personal fears. Adding to this are the reactions of the live audience assembled to watch DMC perform his master illusion at the end of each installment. These include an attempted escape from a locked box while in a straight jacket before getting hit by a speeding train, and getting out of handcuffs and escaping a car filled with water before drowning,
The stories about the demise of past magicians are interesting, especially when he discovers some deaths were a result of completely unexpected circumstances. However, sensitive viewers may find these harrowing tales, and DMC's interpretation of their fatal feats, disturbing. But the smaller illusions he performs through each episode are fun, and magic fans will recognize the commitment he has to the craft. They will also understand the homage he is paying to the late magicians by performing their tricks. Even if you're not a magic fan, Death By Magic offers some great, nail-biting moments that will impress.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the kind of training required to perform master illusions. How much training do you have in order to perform at DMC's level?
What does Death by Magic teach viewers about problem solving?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 30, 2018
- Cast : Drummond DMC Money-Coutts
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Character Strengths : Courage
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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