Parents' Guide to Never Let Him Go

TV Hulu Drama 2023
Never Let Him Go TV show poster: Archival photo of Scott Johnson on a hike, with crime scene evidence markers on the bottom.

Common Sense Media Review

By Ty'Kira Smalls , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 13+

Docuseries about a brother's perseverance through grief.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 13+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

NEVER LET HIM GO follows the story of Scott Johnson, his family, and his death in Sydney back in the 1980s. When police immediately rule that Scott falling off a cliff was a suicide, his family knows that something is off. Time passes, and a string of deaths very similar to Scott's are covered in the news with a common denominator: they were all gay men. Thirty years later, Scott's family are on track to finally getting the answer to a question they've posed for decades: Who killed Scott Johnson?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

This series paints a thorough portrait of persevering through grief. Never Let Him Go is heartbreaking, detailed, and raw. It showcases how much focus and care Scott's family gave to him in life and after his death. The frustrations and hopelessness the family felt while dealing with homophobia, the time period, and the court system in both the U.S. and Australia is palpable. With slight cursing and discussions about murder and suicide, this series is suitable for teens.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how series like these affect real-life cases. What do documentaries like Never Let Him Go do for older "unsolved" deaths like Scott Johnson's?

  • How are Steve's actions involving the initial verdict of his brother's death an example of perseverance? Why is it an important character trait?

TV Details

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Never Let Him Go TV show poster: Archival photo of Scott Johnson on a hike, with crime scene evidence markers on the bottom.

What to Watch Next

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