Killing Eve

TV review by Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media
Killing Eve Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 16+

Fresh spy thriller is offbeat, entertaining, and violent.

BBC America Drama 2018
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Parents say

age 14+

Based on 8 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 22 reviews

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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 Killing Eve is a British thriller series that has lots of harrowing moments, violence, and dark humor. People are shot, violently stabbed, bitten; bloody wounds are frequently shown. There's also some strong sexual content, including simulated sex acts and conversations about infidelity. Words like "bastard," "ass," and crude sexual terms are common. There's also lots of drinking, as well as some cigarette smoking and pill popping. The televised version may have some of this content edited out, while streaming versions likely won't. Sandra Oh stars.

Community Reviews

MediaJ
MediaJ Adult
March 22, 2022
age 12+

Great strong female leads, great acting, quality show

If your kids are already familiar and comfortable with violence in movies and TV shows (fighting with hands, weapons) then give them the opportunity to try this incredible show. The female role models are awesome, and it has fantastic acting, characters that defy stereotypes, great costume design for the fashion interested, and beautiful cinematography and sets for the artistic. This show is incredible and I wish I had been able to see female representation like this when I was a kid, it could have really helped me with confidence and seeing strong female characters. There are also interesting lessons taught via the plot about not trusting all groups or organizations outright, applying critical thought with organizations and individuals.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
sofiyap07
sofiyap07 Adult
August 22, 2020
age 15+

Best for mature and less sensitive 15 year olds

This show is really good, with amazing acting, and writing as well as an engaging plot. There is a lot of violence though, people get stabbed, sliced open, axed in the back, shot, run over by cars, choked/strangled, and much more, plus it doesn’t go light on the blood. One of the characters commits a lot of violent acts for pleasure and without any remorse or consequences (this character is a known psychopath and gets paid for her “work”). So if you know you can take the very realistic blood and gore than that is all to watch out for. There aren’t any explicit sex scenes except for one in one of the first episodes but other than that the farthest they get is references, jokes, and explanations.

This title has:

Too much violence
See all 8 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Adapted from Luke Jennings' Villanelle novellas and written by Fleabag's Phoebe Waller-Bridge, KILLING EVE is a British thriller about an undervalued security agent's efforts to find an international killer. MI5's Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) wishes her professional career was more exciting. When her unit, which is headed up by annoying boss Frank Haleton (Darren Boyd), is informed by MI6 Operative Carolyn Martens (Fiona Shaw) that a Russian politician is murdered, her boss, Bill Pargrave (David Haig), puts Eve in charge of protecting the only witness to the crime. What transpires is a series of events that leads her to the highly skilled assassin known as Villanelle (Jodie Comer), a young, arrogant killer who keeps her handler, Konstantin (Kim Bosnia), on his toes. As time goes on, the story gets more twisted, and the connection between Eve and Villanelle gets more complicated.

Is It Any Good?

This entertaining, somewhat quirky spy series successfully challenges the rules of the genre by offering a well-written story that effectively combines thrills, suspense, and comedy. There's a fair share of tense, dark moments, often coupled with brutal violence, but they're offset with sharp, witty banter and well-timed jokes. This not only allows for the pace of each installment to energetically move forward, but makes it possible for Oh and Comer to play strong, standout roles that break away from the traditional.

The rest of the cast, played by outstanding actors like Shaw, Haig, Boyd, and Howell-Baptiste, also offer three-dimensional, well-rounded characters. But it's Eve and Villanelle's unconventional personalities, which range from smart but clumsy to ruthless but uniquely sensitive, that anchor the rich story world. The bottom line? Killing Eve breaks enough of the rules of a tried-and-true thriller formula to create a viewing experience that's both fresh and thoroughly enjoyable.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the way this series is written. What makes it different from other popular spy thrillers? What's similar?

  • While Killing Eve has its funny moments, it can also be very dark and violent. How are these characteristics balanced in the show? Are there moments when you think the humor doesn't work?

TV Details

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