Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Surreal and unsettling show has tons of bloody violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Mrs. Davis
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Simone (Betty Gilpin) was perfectly happy praying and making jam in a convent, until MRS. DAVIS, an all-powerful and all-knowing artificial intelligence, found her again. Mrs. Davis has been busy taking over the world, yet she's promised that if Simone can bring her the legendary Holy Grail, she will end her own life. Just in time, Simone's ex-boyfriend Wiley (Jake McDorman) pops up on his motorcycle to take Simone on a journey around the world on a quest to resist and destroy Mrs. Davis, while unmasking as many magicians as possible.
Is It Any Good?
Surreal and by turns creepy and amusing, this series is an unsettling yet exhilarating romp through a very specific world we haven't seen before. Betty Gilpin is reliably sympathetic no matter what role she's in, but it'll take viewers some time to work out exactly what role that is: hero or villain, victim or victimizer? Meanwhile, the plot and visuals are absolutely wild: a truck full of jam that blows up after being hit with a sunbeam from a giant magnifier, black-leather-clad German henchmen in motorcycle sidecars, an all-knowing deity who speaks to true believers through earphones. And more!
Those who are familiar with the cinematic and television output of Damon Lindelof will hardly be surprised by all the wild goings-on; certainly nothing in Mrs. Davis is weirder than what millions accepted on Lost. Perhaps co-creator Tara Hernandez (Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon) is responsible for the streak of wry humor that winds its way through the twists; either way, this partnership has produced something unique, odd, and arresting. It's not for everyone, but surely very few could find it boring.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Mrs. Davis' violence. How did it affect you? Is it meant to be shocking or thrilling? What's the difference? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Is this show funny funny? What exactly is "dark humor," and why do we sometimes laugh at things that are otherwise so disturbing?
Families can talk about oppression and resistance, which are prominent themes in Mrs. Davis. Is the show optimistic or pessimistic? Are the characters intended to be role models?
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 20, 2023
- Cast : Betty Gilpin , Margo Martindale , Jake McDorman
- Network : Peacock
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : April 22, 2023
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