Parents' Guide to

iZombie

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Quirky zombie-detective show has violence, heart (and guts).

TV CW Drama 2015
iZombie Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 8 parent reviews

SaritaMorningstar
SaritaMorningstar Adult
June 1, 2021
age 15+
Two of the episodes are about bondage and how it works. They go into a bondage dungeon. Also Major and his girlfriend actually make a sex fort. It is such a good show!

This title has:

Too much sex
vandchaynes
vandchaynes Adult
July 9, 2020
age 13+

More fun for adults

I really had fun watching this series. I don't think it is geared towards teens. There are references that adults would find funny that a teen might miss. It's quirky for sure, and doesn't take itself too seriously. Topical comic book based series. It's a show centered around a zombie that eats brains and works in a morgue, so yes there is violence, blood and gore.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much violence
See all 8 parent reviews

What's the Story?

From the creator of Veronica Mars and loosely based on the comic book series of the same name, IZOMBIE is a drama about a medical resident-turned zombie committed to fighting crime. Overachiever Olivia "Liv" Moore (Rose McIver) had the perfect life, but everything changes when she's scratched during a brain-sucking zombie attack. Now undead, she attempts to preserve what's left of her humanity by taking a job at the coroner's office, where she secretly feeds on the brains of those already dead. Her new diet also allows her to access the memories of the deceased, which she uses to help local police detective Clive Babinaux (Malcolm Goodwin). But her new life (and new look) confuses her best friend Peyton Charles (Aly Michalka); her mom, Eva (Molly Hagan); and her now-ex-fiancé, Major Lilywhite (Robert Buckley). Further complicating things is Blaine (David Anders), who becomes a presence in her life thanks to his own link to the zombie world. Luckily, medical examiner Ravi Chakrabarti (Rahul Kohli) is determined to help her out by providing her a steady supply of fresh brains and learning everything he can about zombies to find a scientific way to make her fully human again.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (8 ):
Kids say (43 ):

The quirky police-procedural formula combines good writing, well-placed humor, and, of course, zombie creepiness in a way that makes this unconventional show entertaining and lively. Liv's charm even manages to make her unsavory brain-eating moments a bit more palatable. But, beneath all the blood and guts is a tale about a young woman trying to cope with the loss of the life she loved, while being forced to accept the present.

Granted, the actual crime narratives range from being slightly predictable to bordering on obvious. Fans of the comic book saga also may find the TV adaptation lacking some of the serial's stranger details. But it successfully captures Liv Moore's peculiar appeal, which makes her story compelling. It's a fun, heartfelt series that is both enjoyable and uniquely engaging.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the popularity of zombies, vampires, and other scary creatures in the media. What makes them appealing? Did you know that these types of characters were popular in the 1920s and '30s? Why did they become popular again? How long do you think this trend will last?

TV Details

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