Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Entertaining dystopian show has fantasy violence, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
gen:Lock
What's the Story?
Co-execitive produced by Michael B. Jordan, GEN:LOCK is a 3D animated series about a dystopian future Earth and the members of a special program intent on saving it. It's 2068, and an international coalition known as The Polity is fighting The Union, a hostile autocratic force that is systematically taking over Earth. Polity scientist Dr. Rufus Weller (David Tennant) has created a project called gen:LOCK, which uses weaponized neuroscience to power mecha suits of armor called Holons. Now a courageous hand-picked team that includes Vanguard pilot Julian Chase (voiced by Jordan), Scottish teen hacker Cameron "Cammie" MacCloud (Maisie Williams), Japanese military reject Kazu lida (Koichi Yamadera), Iranian fighter pilot and former Union member Yasmin "Yaz" Madrina (Golshifteh Farahani), and former Russian secret agent Valentina Romanyszyn (Asia Kate Dillon) is training with this new technology and risking it all in order to win the war.
Is It Any Good?
This well-written and well-paced dystopian series features a solid story with gaming-like action. The roster of colorful characters in gen:LOCK create an entertaining group dynamic. It's rounded out by other key players, including strider pilot Miranda Worth (Dakota Fanning) and the no-nonsense Col. Raquel Marín (Monica Rial). Adding to the fun is the 3D animation, which creates the sense that you're in the middle of a video game, especially during battle sequences. If you are looking for a fun fantasy series to settle into, no doubt that gen:Lock will be worth your while.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of dystopian shows. What makes stories about the potential end of the world as we know it entertaining? Do you ever wonder if any of these scenarios will come true some day?
gen:Lock features characters consisting of people of different races, ethnicities, and genders. How does this compare with other dystopian series you've seen? How do you feel about this representation?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 26, 2019
- Cast : Michael B. Jordan , Maisie Williams , Asia Kate Dillon , Koichi Yamadera , Golshifteh Farahani
- Network : Max
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Robots
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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