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Parents' Guide to

Joan of Arcadia

By Common Sense Media, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

God talks to a surly teen.

TV CBS Drama 2003
Joan of Arcadia Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

  • Joan of Arcadia TV Show: Scene #1
  • Joan of Arcadia TV Show: Scene #2
  • Joan of Arcadia TV Show: Scene #3
  • Joan of Arcadia TV Show: Scene #4

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 6 parent reviews

Anya T.
Anya T. Parent of 11-year-old
September 21, 2023
age 12+
No language
brad2bad
brad2bad Adult
July 7, 2009
age 13+

Joan learns to trust God and submit to His will - strange concept in today's world.

Joan experiences hardships doing as God asks but sees the good done in the end. She learns to trust God, submit to His will and submit her personal good for a better, higher good of another. Amazing!
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In JOAN OF ARCADIA, a high school teen finds herself talking to God in everyday situations such as the halls of her high school. In so doing many questions of God and faith come up between her and her friends. Her geeky science-loving younger brother believes in God and says that science proves it's so; there's also a sassy sister and a brother in a wheelchair who is angry at losing his mobility due to a car accident. Joan's parents are played by Joe Mantegna and Mary Steenburgen.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (6 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This show brings up the big questions -- who is God? What is our obligation to others? How do we know God's will? And it does all this in a surprisingly unpreachy and non-partisan way. But Joan of Arcadia might offend some who have concrete ideas of who God is and how God talks to us or irritate those who don't believe in God at all. These audiences probably should not watch.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what kids think of portraying God this way in Joan of Arcadia. Do you think it's important to try to help others? What do you think about fate, purpose and interconnection?

TV Details

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