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Parents' Guide to

Picnic at Hanging Rock

By Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Stylish and intriguing update on a spooky Aussie tale.

TV Amazon Prime Video Drama 2018
Picnic at Hanging Rock Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 16+

Based on 1 parent review

numbuh0051@gmail.com
[email protected] Adult
February 18, 2019
age 16+

Did you actually watch the whole thing?

Or did you watch a few episodes and then call it quits? Because you failed to mention the full frontal nudity that popped out of nowhere. You guys aren’t terribly good at catching these things, it seems.
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

In a small town in Victoria, Australia, in 1900, a group of schoolgirls and teachers go on a PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK to see a mysterious rock structure. When Irma (Samara Weaving), Miranda (Lily Sullivan), and Marion (Madeleine Madden) suddenly disappear while on the outing, the town is rocked by the happening, and so is slippery headmistress Hester Appleyard (Natalie Dormer).

Is It Any Good?

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

Sensual and creepy at the same time, this update on a classic Australian tale has beautiful visuals and a fairytale-like mystery at its center. How could four girls climb a rock but only three come down? Fans of the classic 1975 art-house movie of the same name (or the equally classic 1967 novel) will note that though the underpinnings of this version of Picnic at Hanging Rock are the same, the characters are smartly updated. In 1975 Mrs. Appleyard was a tight-bunned patrician great aunt-type and the girls ethereal and indistinguishable nymphs in white dresses. In the 2018 version, the headmistress is a woman with a Secret Past, and each student is sensitively sketched, particularly free-spirited tomboy Miranda.

Dormer's Mrs. Appleyard is also a measure more cruel than her 1975 predecessor, particularly to charity ward Sara (Inez Currõ), whose legs are laddered with self-harming razor cuts that Appleyard douses with rubbing alcohol while dispensing hard-earned wisdom about the world. How did she earn said wisdom? Watching that unfold -- along with the many other secrets of the many other characters -- is one of the many pleasures of this fascinating, slow-burning series.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the historical setting of Picnic at Hanging Rock. What privileges and power do women have now that they didn't when these characters existed?

  • Have you read the book on which this and the 1975 movie were based? Have you seen the 1975 movie? What changes have been made to this version of the story, and why were they made?

  • This drama was produced and written by a mostly female team. Does this surprise you? Do you think it's any different because of who made it?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

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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