Common Sense Media Review
By Matt Cabral
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent, bloody game-based series is super stylish.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Devil May Cry
What's the Story?
Like the action-fueled video game franchise it's based on, DEVIL MAY CRY stars demon slayer Dante. The human-demon hybrid hero unleashes his signature weapons—dual pistols and a sword—and quippy dialogue simultaneously, giddily carving through underworld creatures. The story finds hell's baddies spilling into our own world, tasking Dante with stopping the demon apocalypse. Toss in a talking rabbit antagonist, a mysterious amulet, and Dante's troubled family past, and the frequent, fast-paced action is balanced with plenty of narrative twists and turns.
Is It Any Good?
Thanks to the likes of Arcane, Castlevania, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, and Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, Netflix has built a strong stable of animated video game adaptations. The streaming platform continues its hot streak with Devil May Cry, another series that does right by its pixel-and-polygon source material. Like the long-running game franchise, the show smartly focuses on Dante, a young demon hunter who deals death with cinematic style to spare. But while the expertly choreographed, lightning-quick combat scenes take center stage, the action is nicely complemented by plenty of humor, colorful characters, and Dante's ability to drop corpses and one-liners in equal measure.
The over-the-top action—and Dante's attitude—can sometimes be a bit much, but Devil May Cry generally does a decent job balancing these elements against its absorbing storytelling and eye-popping animation. The core premise, which sees the world threatened by portal-jumping hellspawn, also serves as a good diving-in point for those unfamiliar with the games. And while its concept treads some familiar narrative ground, its pacing, plot twists, and personality-packed characterizations help put a fresh spin on the demon apocalypse.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the series' action and violence. Does the over-the-top nature of the fight scenes and battles make them less realistic? Is the violence less scary and impactful because it's animated and far-fetched? How does the action and violence compare to that of the source material?
Talk about Dante as a complex protagonist. Is he a hero or an antihero? Can he be part demon and still do good? How does he treat his human enemies versus his demonic foes? Why does he spare some attackers, but kill others?
How do the series' humor and colorful characters affect its more serious aspects? Are the supernatural elements scary or funny? Are characters like Rabbit more creepy or cartoonish? How does the show balance its comedic moments with its extreme violence and frequent deaths?
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 3, 2025
- Cast : Johnny Yong Bosch , Scout Taylor-Compton , Hoon Lee
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Action
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Empathy , Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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