Common Sense Media Review
Violent spy drama is gritty and emotional, but convoluted.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Ghosts of Beirut
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Based on true events, GHOSTS OF BEIRUT follows Imad Mughniyeh (Amir Khoury), founder of the Islamic Jihad Organization. Imad's decades-long career dodging the CIA and other countries' government agencies is illustrated through part drama and part documentary. Journalists and researchers explain the tension developing between nations, the attitude toward American presence on Middle Eastern soil, and the popularization of terrorist techniques such as suicide bombings. Dramatizations give insight into the emotional context of historical events.
Is It Any Good?
This solid but convoluted miniseries is packed with information and interviews. Ghosts of Beirut is dark, gritty, and emotional, but struggles to balance itself with the documentary aspect. Scenes and moments are interrupted by fast, short statements from journalists and researchers. What should add to the story ends up creating a dissonance in the overall narrative. The amount of violence, upsetting imagery, and strong language make this best suited for older viewers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Ghosts of Beirut's violence. How intense is it? How does it help to tell this story? Is it necessary?
How does this series explore/portray the United States' presence in the Middle East?
There' no shortage of media centered around stories like this, covering war, violence, and terrorism. Why is media about these topics appealing or interesting? Is this seen as entertainment, education, or both?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 21, 2023
- Cast : Amir Khoury , Dina Shihabi , Navid Negahban
- Network : Showtime
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : June 9, 2023
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