Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Suspense abounds in creepy graphic novel adaptation.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
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Locke & Key
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 29 parent reviews
Parents say that this show contains a mix of thrilling and dark themes, with graphic violence, inappropriate content, and distressing scenes that make it unsuitable for younger viewers, despite its appealing premise and potential as a family show. Many reviewers express concerns about the age rating, highlighting explicit scenes and themes that could traumatize younger audiences, while others believe it could still be engaging for older teens.
- graphic violence
- inappropriate content
- unsuitable for children
- dark themes
- age rating concerns
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 73 kid reviews
Kids say this show is a captivating mix of suspense and fantasy that features notable violence, mild swearing, and various intimate scenes, which may make it more appropriate for older teens or mature younger viewers. While many find it enjoyable, some believe it can be too intense or inappropriate for those under 14 due to its content.
- suspenseful plot
- intense violence
- mild language
- suitable for teens
- mature themes
- magical elements
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In LOCKE & KEY, when the Locke family relocates to their ancestral home in Massachusetts following the untimely death of their husband and father, Rendall (Bill Heck), they find themselves engulfed in a supernatural mystery that goes back generations. Nina (Darby Stanchfield) hopes the move will offer a fresh start for herself and her three kids -- Tyler (Connor Jessup), Kinsey (Emilia Jones), and Bode (Jackson Robert Scott) -- but Rendall's childhood home brings the Locke family face to face with the ghosts of his past and an evil spirit that's very real in the present. As the family learns some of the secrets Rendall kept hidden, the Locke kids unearth and collect a series of magical keys with untold power that the spirit is bent on stealing for herself.
Is It Any Good?
This thrilling series raises more questions than it answers from the unnatural death in the very first scene, and it doesn't stop there. Watching it is like riding a rollercoaster with more uphills than downhills; you always feel like you're headed toward a resolution of some kind, but instead every turn just brings more intrigue and suspense. This series excels at revealing just enough insight at just the right times to keep your interest and tempt you to come back for more.
You needn't be a horror or sci-fi geek to appreciate Locke & Key. The storyline that follows the family's healing process after a painful loss and traumatic experience is every bit as compelling as the one about a living, breathing spirit who threatens them in the present and has uncertain ties to their family's past. That said, it's a fairly gritty watch and has a definite creepiness that tingles a bit, so young teens who are sensitive to that kind of content may want to be wary of this one.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Locke & Key's use of violence (or lack thereof). Is visual violence necessary to the story to keep it interesting? How does it use suspense and the suggestion of fear to offset the need for physical violence while maintaining the show's intrigue?
As you get to know the characters better, what strengths do you see in Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode? How does each demonstrate courage in their own way? How do their memories inspire how they live now?
If you've read the graphic novels, how would you rate this adaptation? In general, do you like the trend of turning graphic novels or animated characters into live-action series or movies?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 7, 2020
- Cast : Emilia Jones , Connor Jessup , Darby Stanchfield
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Book Characters , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- TV rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
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