Parents' Guide to

Legion

By Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Eye-opening sci-fi thriller has intrigue, scary visuals.

TV FX Drama 2017
Legion Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 17+

Based on 5 parent reviews

Brandon B.
Brandon B. Adult
November 23, 2018
age 18+

Unique Creative Story, but Surprise Scenes of Gratuitous Vioence, Nudity, Sex & Horror

Beware of the other reviews going around about how much sex this show has. There are many scenes that play more than once throughout the show. There's many suggestive scenes that show the female lead character in lingerie, and in a white room where the male and female lead character go to have sex throughout the show. It does not always show this, but is suggested and sometimes you'll flashes of both male and female buttocks and other skin areas. Another scene, there's extended view of female buttocks and also a female showering showing suggestive body parts in slow motion. There's a sex scene that plays more than once throughout the show. The overall story is gripping and exciting, however frightening imagery is interwoven throughout the show including jump scares and horror build ups. This show should be for those 18 and up. Drug scenes are also interwoven throughout the show. If anyone has issues with mental health, psychiatric disabilities or any kind of mental disorder, or suicidal tendencies, then avoid watching this show.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
1 person found this helpful.
ErinGalindoAlmendares
ErinGalindoAlmendares Adult
June 2, 2021
age 18+
There’s various mentions of sexual assault. The main character actually assaults his then- girlfriend.

This title has:

Too much violence
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In the sci-fi drama LEGION, David Haller (Dan Stevens) is a young man who's spent most of his life in a mental institution, told that the voices he hears in his head are schizophrenia. But no matter what the doctors say, Haller can't shake the feeling there's more going on than just hallucinations. When he gets angry, objects fly through the air and people get hurt. What's more, he suspects he's not the only one with a little more than normal human abilities -- fellow patient Syd Barrett (Rachel Keller) also has a special talent, one that has to do with her hatred of being touched. When the two pair up and begin to realize just what they are -- and that there are people out there that mean to do them harm -- they're launched into a terrifying new reality.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (16 ):

Cinematic, creepy, beautiful, and bizarre, this hallucinatory series may be both the best superhero show on the air and the best X-Men iteration yet. Beset by visions and (true?) delusions, Stevens is a bewildering, yet sympathetic character who makes it easy to imagine: What if it were me caught in an elaborate plot designed to rout out those who are different? As he attempts to ferret out the truth through dreams, confused memories, and communiques from ghosts and fellow mutants, we're just happy to be along for the ride.

Trippy visuals are just part of the pleasure here -- the costume designer is clearly having a wonderful time coming up with off-kilter 1960s outfits, and everything's lit in bloody red or eerie yellow. When David has a telekinetic fit, every tool in an office flies through the air to the dreamy strains of Jane's Addiction. Of course, if you've ever watched an X-Men movie you're one up on David, and know why he's being persecuted and just what he's up against -- but mesmerized viewers won't be able to stop themselves from binging on one more episode of Legion to find out what happens next.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how often fantasy and science fiction are ways to talk about tough real-world issues. Does the acceptance of the unreal make it easier to discuss the real? What real-world evils are represented by the agents who are hunting David and his fellow mutants in Legion?

  • What time period is the show set in? How can you tell? How does a show communicate its setting in costumes, styling, stage dressing?

  • What's the difference between science-fiction series and movies? What types of stories can be told in a movie vs. episodically on television? Which do you prefer?

TV Details

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