Parents' Guide to

Gaslit

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Great Watergate drama highlights sexism, has mature content.

TV Starz Drama 2022
Gaslit TV show poster.

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What's the Story?

Based on the Slow Burn podcast by Leon Neyfakh, GASLIT is a docudrama about the events surrounding the Watergate affair from the point of view of a female whistleblower. In the 1970s, Martha Mitchell (Julia Roberts), the popular wife of U.S. Attorney General John Mitchell (Sean Penn), was referred to as "Martha the Mouth" thanks to her unapologetic outspokenness about government affairs. When Martha learns that the Committee to Re-Elect the President (CRP) -- the advisers of which include her husband, G. Gordon Liddy (Shea Whigham), John Ehrlichman (Chris Conner), and H. R. "Bob" Haldeman (Nat Faxon) -- is engaging in criminal activities that are being covered up by White House Counsel John Dean (Dan Stevens), she begins to leak it to the press. This sets off a chain of events that leads to the eventual downfall of the Nixon administration, and to Martha's life being destroyed.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

The well-produced and well-acted docudrama gives a voice to Martha Mitchell (Julia Roberts), whose controversial and tragic story has been largely ignored by historical narratives about the Watergate scandal. It follows the major players involved in organizing, carrying out, and covering up the bungled break-in at Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex on June 17, 1972, often highlighting some of their over-the-top personalities and ridiculous antics with a touch of humor. However, the story's real focus is Martha, a colorful Washington, D.C., conservative socialite whose uncensored comments about political issues, events, and people eventually made her a liability to the Nixon administration. The series acknowledges her role as one of the first people to go public with information about CRP's activities, and what she endured from Nixon's inner circle, including her husband. It also demonstrates how the patriarchal norms of the time made it easier for them to victimize Martha while effectively rendering the once strong and popular public figure invisible. Even if you're not a fan of politics-themed entertainment, it's easy to get caught up in the Gaslit story and appreciate its attempt to help Martha Mitchell regain her spotlight.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the different ways media has talked about Watergate over the years. Why isn't Martha Mitchell's story featured more prominently in these narratives? How do you think this series could change that?

  • What does Gaslit reveal about the role sexism has played through politics and medicine? Did you know that there's now a term in medicine known as the Martha Mitchell effect? What do you think it refers to?

TV Details

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