Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bleak drama explores big themes via sex, language, violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Hand of God
What's the Story?
In the wake of a horrific crime that left his son on life support, a judge with questionable morals (Ron Perlman) goes on a crusade for justice that he believes to be guided by the HAND OF GOD. But is a divine voice really speaking to him, or is he merely seeking revenge?
Is It Any Good?
Hand of God has all the makings of a grand drama, replete with weighty questions, complex characters, and thought-provoking symbolism. Yet at times, the series' taste for darkness is so sobering that getting through an episode feels more like punishment than entertainment. This is a decidedly mature pick for adults -- and, even then, only adults who can stomach the darkness, for there's very little light to be found.
As for Perlman (best known for playing edgy antiheroes in films such as Hellboy and on TV shows such as Beauty and the Beast and Sons of Anarchy), his casting as the series' unlikely protagonist is interesting but ultimately feels like a misfire thanks to a performance that's big on brooding but painfully lacking in humanity. His character needs to be more relatable, and if he were, the series would be way more watchable.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Hand of God's position when it comes to religion, politics, and revenge. Is the overall message positive, negative, or somewhere in between?
How does Hand of God relate to the biblical story of King Solomon, who's referenced several times in the series? How does Judge Harris compare to Solomon, and how are they different?
Does the fact that Hand of God streams exclusively on Amazon allow it to do things other series can't? How would it play on network television?
TV Details
- Premiere date : August 24, 2014
- Cast : Ron Perlman , Dana Delany , Alona Tal
- Network : Prime Video
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 4, 2022
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