Common Sense Media Review
By Stephanie Snyder
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Raunchy high school portrayal updates '90s teen drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Heartbreak High
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 32 kid reviews
Kids say this show offers a mix of entertaining and mature themes, effectively portraying teenage life with a focus on diversity and inclusion while discussing complex topics such as consent, relationships, and identity. Though many find it enjoyable and relatable, the series contains explicit content that may not be suitable for younger audiences, with parental guidance recommended for younger viewers.
- mature themes
- diversity
- parental guidance
- relatable content
- explicit content
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In HEARTBREAK HIGH, best friends Amerie and Harper have done everything together -- including creating the "Incest Map," a visual representation of all of the hookups at Hartley High. But as the new school year gets underway, the friendship is unraveling, and Amerie struggles to understand why. On the first day of school, the Incest Map gets blasted, and it is found out that Amerie is behind it. This turns the student body against her, and as she struggles to deal with her own strained reputation, she aligns herself with a new friend group that includes misfits Darren and Quinni. Will her friendship with Harper be repaired? Will she land the guy she's had her eye on? Will she figure out who she is in the high school landscape?
Is It Any Good?
This reboot modernizes a classic Aussie teenage drama -- and the teenage experience. Heartbreak High brings its predecessor to the 21st century with smart phones, references to social media, and an emphasis on diversity. It's worth it to note, however, that the diverse representations have a tendency to border on stereotypical, but that has more to do with the elements of a dramedy than intentional insensitivities. Though the plot is about the trials, tribulations and sex lives of teenagers, it is a show that grown-ups can get invested in, if they can get past the whole sex-lives-of-teenagers part. Breakout star Ayesha Madon delivers a performance that has viewers rooting for Amerie, though her actions are often less than favorable. The social commentary on the lives of today's teenagers is sure to get laughs and to challenge the ways we think about high schoolers, the lives they lead, and the ways adults can help them navigate this tumultuous part of life.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about friendship in Heartbreak High. Have you ever had a friendship like Amerie's and Harper's? Do you think all friendships that fall apart are meant to be repaired? Why or why not?
How can high school life impact friendship? How can it impact self identity? What should high schoolers know about the social side of school?
What advice would you give to Amerie? To Darren? To Harper?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 14, 2022
- Cast : Ayesha Madon , James Majoos , Chloe Hayden
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Humility , Perseverance
- TV rating :
- Last updated : February 19, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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