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Parents' Guide to

Mayor of Kingstown

By Martin Brown, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Dreary crime drama features lots of violence, nudity.

TV Paramount+ Drama 2021
Mayor of Kingstown Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 18+

Based on 3 parent reviews

L.Vasquez
L.Vasquez Adult
November 28, 2021
age 18+
Kathryn H.
Kathryn H. Adult
April 4, 2023
age 18+
I am a conservative with an open mind. I also am a sold out Bible believing Christian. But I see the world through nonjudgmental eyes. Conservative Christians will lambaste this show as too violent, too much swearing and every other bad thing that is happening in real society daily these days. What I loved about Mayor of Kingstown, was the story was REAL! It wasn’t white washed for the faint of heart. It also was NOT woke, it was reality laid bare. Also, Jeremy Renner gave an absolutely stunning performance as the inherited mayor of a town bogged down by a broken prison system, drug trafficking, bad prosecutions, and terrible corruption. The truth is, that is America today. Do not watch this if foul language and violence and reality in big cities all over the country offend you! But, if you can open your mind, this can be very eye opening about the condition of our criminal Justice system in today’s society. I meet people where they are. Which means I go into some pretty slimy areas where other Christians would never go. Just. Like. Jesus. Did. He says many times, it’s not the perfect people who need Him, but the SINNERS who need Him. My ministry is extremely difficult but also extremely rewarding. This show was extremely hard to watch as a Christian, but also very much information Christians need. I wish Christians would get their heads out of their hidey holes and go where the hard people are. You have no idea how much work there is to do for Him in society today. Being judgmental won’t get you in the door. And being nonjudgmental WILL make a huge difference in this difficult society, desperately needed, today. That being said? This should should be watched by the more mature adult Christians. Not the young Christians OR young people! Just saying! Hope I didn’t break any rules here, but remember, it’s the LEFT that is closing speech today, like the good radical fascists they are (she said judgmentally). Let’s not be like them!
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What's the Story?

MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN takes place in a small Michigan city where the dominant industry isn't manufacturing or agriculture, but private prison -- 10 of them exist within a small radius. The McClusky family, led by Mitch (Kyle Chandler) and his younger brother, Mike (Jeremy Renner), is the political center of the town, and fight for power right alongside the criminal factions there, which include not only the prisoners but law enforcement.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (1 ):

The difference between a mediocre crime family drama and a good one is often whether it's plot driven or character driven. Mayor of Kingstown is clearly looking to build an audience that loves to follow plot twists, warring factions, and shifting allegiances. But the character at the center of the action, Jeremy Renner's Mike McClusky, lacks complexity or even so much as a defining character trait. Without a compelling character at the heart of it, Mayor of Kingstown is simply an dreary march toward predictable violence.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the town of Kingstown. What is unique about the show's setting? Is this realism? Why or why not?

  • What is the McLusky family's relationship to the town? How does each member of the family operate within Kingstown? How is each character's morality unique within the family? What are the differences in values between them?

  • How are the people in prison portrayed in Mayor of Kingstown? The criminals on the outside? Law enforcement? What are the similarities and differences between how these factions operate? How do they treat the law? Do any of them have a moral or ethical code?

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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