Common Sense Media Review
By Jenny Nixon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Show about monstrous dad has addiction, language, puppets.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Eric
What's the Story?
It's 1985 and Vincent Anderson (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a creative but deeply unstable puppeteer and creator of the popular kids show Good Day Sunshine. Living in a sleazy, graffiti-peppered New York City, he spends his days mouthing off to network executives, demeaning his coworkers, and alternately intimidating or ignoring his sensitive 9-year-old son, Edgar (Ivan Howe). He has a strained relationship with his wife Cassie (Gaby Hoffmann), and the morning after a particularly rough fight, the couple's son goes missing. From this point on, ERIC follows their search for Edgar while also delving into the life and career of the detective assigned to their case (McKinley Belcher III), who's still haunted by the disappearance of another area child, Marlon Rochelle, nearly a year earlier.
Is It Any Good?
There's so much going on here it feels like two shows are happening at once -- and despite the star power of Cumberbatch, it's the supporting players who command the most interest and attention. Deservedly so, as Vincent is such an unlikable and mean character that he's hard to root for, even as he's scouring the grimy Manhattan subway system looking for his kid. (It doesn't help that he stops to smoke crack and passes out during the search.)
Eric is named for Vincent's imaginary friend, a puppet sidekick only he can see, who's modeled and named after one of his son's sketchbook creations. The puppet's inclusion feels gimmicky and doesn't add much to the show, especially in contrast to the absorbing subplots about Detective Ledroit searching for Edgar as he fields phone calls from the still-missing Marlon Rochelle's mother and endures harassment and interference from corrupt coworkers. Gaby Hoffman also does strong work as Cassie, who has layers and isn't just a cookie-cutter stressed-out mom. Eric is ambitious and has a lot to say, it just needed a bit of pruning to leap from good to great.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the various social issues prevalent in 1980s New York City, as depicted in the show. How have attitudes changed (or not) when it comes to communities of color, mental health challenges, and people living with HIV and AIDS?
Talk about Vincent's relationship with his parents and his refusal to take money from them. What do you think is driving this decision, and do you agree with it? Why or why not?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 30, 2024
- Cast : Benedict Cumberbatch , Gaby Hoffmann , McKinley Belcher III , Jeff Hephner
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : June 4, 2024
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