Common Sense Media Review
By Jenny Nixon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cliché-filled New Orleans-set drama has violence, swearing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Parish
What's the Story?
PARISH is the story of Graciàn "Gray" Parish (Giancarlo Esposito), a man struggling to keep his luxury car service afloat while also grieving the violent death of his son a year prior. As Gray becomes increasingly withdrawn from his wife and daughter, he reconnects with his old friend Colin (played by Skeet Ulrich, giving big Kenny Powers vibes here). Colin is fresh out of prison and looking for help on a supposedly easy job -- it turns out Gray has a criminal past and is cool under pressure, making him an ideal getaway driver. Given that his house is about to be foreclosed on, it's an offer he can't refuse. Things go sideways on the job, and Gray finds himself entangled with a group of in-fighting Zimbabwean gangsters who are none too keen to let him get back to his everyday life.
Is It Any Good?
Series lead Giancarlo Esposito has charisma and gravitas, but it's not enough to elevate the mediocre storylines full of tired crime drama tropes. Parish's supporting cast is adequate, but the issue is what happens anytime Esposito isn't onscreen. The dialogue is often cringe-inducingly cheesy -- such as when a mobster tells his young nephew that "every cub grows to be a lion" during a family bonding session over machine guns. Parish is worth checking out if you're a fan of Esposito, but don't be surprised if you zone out on occasion.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the circumstances in Gray's life that may have made him more susceptible to the Tongai family's demands. What does it mean when a "good guy" does bad things? Can you think of other "anti-hero" characters in film and television?
Talk about how Parish portrays life in New Orleans. What do you notice about the different neighborhoods and scenery highlighted in the show?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 31, 2024
- Cast : Giancarlo Esposito , Skeet Ulrich , Zackary Momoh , Paula Malcolmson
- Network : AMC
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : April 24, 2024
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