Parents' Guide to

Limitless

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Fast-paced drama fueled by the powers of a fascinating drug.

TV CBS Drama 2015
Limitless Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 14+

Based on 3 parent reviews

piggy1016
piggy1016 Adult
May 13, 2019
age 11+

Surprisingly good!

My brother told me about this show and I thought it seemed stupid, but he made me watch the first episode and I fell in love. It's really interesting and hilarious, it's a a very unique show with a unique sense of humor that works really well for it, the lead actors are perfect in their roles, and the filmography is cool too.
nikearle
nikearle Adult
March 12, 2016
age 13+

Interesting concept

My 12 year old (who is quite mature) is loving this show. He is old enough to recognise the moral dilemma faced by the main character. He also finds it quite humorous. The maun character is relatively flawed and this makes him really relatable.
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When a well-meaning friend slips struggling musician Brian Finch (Jake McDorman) a dose of NZT-48 -- a mysterious drug that unlocks his mind and pushes his brainpower to unprecedented levels -- his intelligence is LIMITLESS, and he jumps at the chance to save his ailing father (Ron Rifkin) with his newfound mental prowess. But there's a catch: The seemingly magic drug has a limited supply and only lasts for 12 hours, and the side effects can be deadly. Enter FBI agent Rebecca Harris (Jennifer Carpenter), who first tracks Finch as a murder suspect but soon realizes he isn't a criminal -- and that his powers can be put to good use if he keeps popping pills.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (13 ):

It would've been easy to take the 2011 Bradley Cooper thriller Limitless and transfer its plot to a much smaller screen, but this slick adaptation made the decision to be a bit more original. By setting the TV show several years after the events of the film and building in regular cameos from Cooper himself -- who reprises his movie role (albeit in a minor capacity) and doubles as the show's executive producer -- this continuation of the Limitless brand plays like an effectively smart sequel, using the story that spawned it as a springboard rather than a blueprint.

That's not to say that this Limitless is without its limits: If you peel away the shiny exterior, you'll find a pretty standard crime drama with predictable formulas. But Limitless at least gives us a charismatic hero and a complex set of questions to ponder concerning addiction, motivation, and moral compromise, with the potential to become more addicting as the story unfolds.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the movie's main character and his complicated relationship with NZT. Does Brian's dependence on the drug make him an addict? What are the consequences of his usage, and how do his problems compare to those of real-life drug addicts? Where's the line between use and abuse when it comes to drugs?

  • How does Limitless the TV show compare to Limitless the feature film? What changes did the show's creators make to the movie's plot to tailor the story for television? Do those changes work, and why or why not?

  • How does Brian measure up as a role model? Is it OK to break the law if the intentions behind your actions are good?

TV Details

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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 suggesting a diversity update.

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