Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Riveting Danish drama centers around suicide and death.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Kamikaze
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In KAMIKAZE, a Danish 18-year-old named Julie is planning a weekend party while her parents are out of the country. Her giant home is a stocked bar waiting to be plundered. She gets permission from her father over a video call to go forward with the party and keep it a secret from her mom. Her friends are at her house, excited for the weekend; they prep for the evening by going on a shopping spree and toasting their luck over glasses of wine at an upscale restaurant. Upon leaving the bar, Julie receives a text from her father in Rwanda, saying that their plane is crashing and he loves her: "Do what you want." Julie's life changes irrevocably in the time it takes to read the text. Nobody to answer to, no one to care for her, Julie goes on a spiraling journey inwards and out into the world. Will she be able to approach having a normal life again? Or is she on a path to complete self-destruction?
Is It Any Good?
Taut, dramatic, well-acted, this 8-episode series is a searing journey through grief and the search for meaning. Kamikaze provides hedonistic thrills-- a gorgeous house, car, fantastic clothes, and a credit card that allows Julie to keep her grief a step away. It's also a study in the complexity of human grief. Danish actress Marie Reuther plays Julie with a chilling focus, painting a pointillistic portrait of a teenage girl with everything to lose, and the strength of character to lose it all for the sake of feeling something again.
Though it might not take top-shelf honors in the rebellious teen pantheon, Kamikaze punches well for its weight. Teens with a penchant for subtitled shows will thrill to this. Parents will enjoy the ride, though it's quite turbulent at times. This series skirts the edge of being too obvious, but the journey Julie undergoes captures the balance of fearfulness and fearlessness that turbo-charges this age group.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about mental health and wellness in Kamikaze. Julie tries to get help, but she is so shocked by the death of her family that she becomes self-destructive. What would you do if a friend was harming themselves, or is experiencing suicidal thoughts?
Julie and her friends look forward to partying together. How does watching shows that have drinking and partying in them make you feel? Do you feel encouraged to party when you watch it happening in a show like this?
In this show, Julie and her friends shop and spend money freely. What is your relationship to money and consumption? What is greed?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 14, 2021
- Network : Max
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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