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Haunted
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Haunted is a show centered on supposedly supernatural events that are described by the people who lived through them, which are then graphically dramatized by professional actors. Profanity is used frequently, up to and including the "F" word. There's some suggestive content, such as an alien-administered medical exam that turns into sexual abuse and scenes of a woman topless in a bathtub. There is copious, often graphic violence on display, including depictions of serial killing and child abuse, physical and emotional abuse, alcohol and drug use, demonic possession, suicidal themes, and much more. This is definitely not a show for kids -- and it may disturb some adults as well.
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User Reviews
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Boring, confusing, and not at all what the trailer makes it up to be.
What's the story?
HAUNTED is a docudrama series that features first-person accounts of supernatural happenings that are re-enacted by professional actors. The subject sits in a room with friends, family, and witnesses to the events and then emotionally recounts his or her story, which is intercut with spooky dramatizations full of blood, sinister images, violence, and creepy music. The stories cover the paranormal gamut and feature subjects such as haunted houses, poltergeists, demonic possessions, alien abductions, and more.
Is it any good?
This is hardly the first haunted house-type show inspired by "true events" that strains credulity, but what is notable about it is the graphic and excessive violence used in the dramatizations. The stories being recounted in Haunted are upsetting enough -- children being forced to watch their father murder people and perform "demonic" rituals, a young boy tormented by the ghost of a woman who murdered her kids -- but the show amps up the ick factor with unnecessary violence and an excess of blood and guts. Child abuse is a running theme and is unflinchingly depicted. Drug and alcohol use is frequently mentioned and seen. The show's darkness isn't only in the subject matter. Though the production values and acting are notably better than most other shows in this genre, many of the episodes are unrelentingly dark and murky, lighting-wise. One of the participants says he's telling his story in hopes of "healing" from his experiences, which may be the case, but it's a bit hard to swallow considering the exploitative and sleazy feel of the show's re-enactments.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the use of dramatic re-enactments in shows like Haunted. Does it make a story more believable when you see it acted out by a professional? Is the way they portray these acts scary to you, or is using your imagination even scarier?
Have you or has someone in your family ever had a spooky experience that couldn't be explained? How did you deal with it?
TV details
- Premiere date: October 19, 2018
- Cast: Victoria Hogan, Petra Buckova, Vanda Chaloupkova
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Drama
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Available on: Streaming
For kids who love scary stuff
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.