Parents' Guide to Landscapers

TV Max Drama 2021
Landscapers Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

By Randa Awada , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

Gripping, theatrical retelling of a true crime in England.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 12+

Based on 1 parent review

What's the Story?

LANDSCAPERS tells the story of Susan (Olivia Colman) and Christopher Edwards (David Thewlis), devoted spouses with severe financial troubles who are quickly revealed to have been on the run for the last 15 years after the murder of Susan's parents. After receiving a tip, detectives in their small English hometown interrogate the couple, testing their relationship and sanity and poking holes in the story the couple has carefully cultivated. Viewers are often transported from reality to their imagined lives as cowboys, or as close friends of the actor Gérard Depardieu, giving this true crime a unique cinematic and occasionally theatrical feel.

Is It Any Good?

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

Olivia Colman and David Thewlis give stellar performances in this true crime retelling that offers an empathetic perspective of a couple whose grasp on reality is questionable. The odd romance and loyalty between these central characters is intriguing to follow as the investigation unfolds in Landscapers. Beyond the performances, the changing scenery and backdrops and the transitions from black-and-white to realistic cinematography keep the audience fascinated. The script is rich and unpredictable. As you dive into the convicted couple's inner worlds, watch them get interrogated, and travel with their flashbacks, you'll find yourself continuously asking: What really happened?

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the justice system and how evidence is used when convicting suspects of a crime. Do you think Susan and Chris were guilty, and why?

  • The detectives are desperate to solve this case, and they use questionable techniques to get the couple to confess. How might that have biased the interrogations? Is it ethical to use these techniques when dealing with mentally unstable people?

  • Why do you think Susan likes to live in her imagination? What are the benefits and downsides of having that kind of imagination?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by

Landscapers Poster Image

What to Watch Next

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate