Parents' Guide to Lady in the Lake

TV Apple TV Drama 2024
Lady in the Lake TV show poster: A split image shows a black woman and a white woman floating in a lake.

Common Sense Media Review

Polly Conway By Polly Conway , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 14+

Stylish, dark murder mystery has language, sex, violence.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 14+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 17+

Based on 1 parent review

What's the Story?

In 1960s Baltimore, Maddie Schwartz, a well-off Jewish housewife, begins to tire of her life of charity events and serving dinners. In another part of the city, Cleo Sherwood works nights bartending, bookkeeping, and doing what she can to make ends meet for her family. When a child in Maddie's immediate community is killed, she's motivated to help, drastically changing her life as a result. Cleo is also murdered, and the stories begin to intertwine. Narrated by Cleo after she's been killed, the series follows both women's journeys toward justice.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 1 ):
Kids say : Not yet rated

Stylishly directed by Alma Har'el, this series is also marked by the excellent acting of its two stars. In Lady in the Lake, Portman and Ingram elevate what could have been a standard crime story into a compelling tale. The art direction takes viewers straight into two worlds, both in 1960s Baltimore, and Har'el adds a haunting, sometimes eerie note (the opening parade scene is a great example of this, with its hulking puppets and disturbing close-ups). This sets the tone for the powerful story to come.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about crime. What made Maddie interested in solving crimes in her community?

  • How does Maddie use courage and empathy to fuel her work? Why are these important character strengths?

TV Details

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Lady in the Lake TV show poster: A split image shows a black woman and a white woman floating in a lake.

What to Watch Next

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