Parents' Guide to

Haunted

By Matt Springer, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

So-so horror procedural with blood and sexual content.

TV UPN Drama 2009
Haunted Poster Image

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What's the Story?

The lead character of HAUNTED, Frank Taylor (Matthew Fox), is a former cop who has become a private investigator. He becomes involved in a kidnapping case and pursues a suspect by himself instead of waiting for backup...and has a near-death experience because of it. After that experience, he suddenly gains the ability to see and communicate with ghosts, all of whom ask his help in resolving the unsolved mysteries of their deaths. Throughout, he struggles with the loss of his own son, who disappeared mysteriously from his home one night.

Is It Any Good?

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

Writers sometimes use the phrase "on the nose" to describe material that seems just a bit too perfect to feel honest. That's a good description of how most of the plot twists on Haunted feel for a viewer. Although the acting does help elevate the script, there are many moments that come roaring down the story turnpike blaring their horn, easily telegraphed from miles away.

There's a cliche almost-superhuman serial criminal, a former-cop-turned-PI who refuses to wait for backup, and a dark hallway full of ghosts with a light at the end of it...and that's just in the pilot's first 15 minutes. Mixing the traditional procedural format with supernatural elements has a great deal of promise, but Haunted doesn't pay off.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how to deal with violence on television in the context of a horror series. Does it make it easier to accept graphic violence on a horror show? Why or why not?

  • Do you believe in the supernatural underpinnings of this series? How does this show handle the paranormal compared to other supernatural-oriented series?

TV Details

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