Common Sense Media Review
By Polly Conway
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence, swearing in ultra-dark sci-fi comedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Pluribus
What's the Story?
Carol (Rhea Seehorn) writes trashy fantasy romance novels and is wildly successful, though she dreams of writing something with substance. But her problems are dwarfed when an alien force transforms nearly all the humans on Earth into a single hive mind, in PLURIBUS. These zombie-like humans seem scary, but they appear concerned with just one thing: making sure Carol's OK. But their endgame may be more sinister—they're hoping Carol can join them, at any cost.
Is It Any Good?
Fans of creator Vince Gilligan's other shows (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) may feel tentative about his dip into semi-serious sci-fi, but they needn't worry. Pluribus is outstanding; its borderline ridiculous premise fully grounded in the humanity of its main character, Carol. Another tour-de-force performance by Seehorn is no surprise; she embodies terror, rage, and a singular crankiness all at once. The Gilligan touch is all over this series, though it's unlike his previous shows in a few ways. Like his other series, Gilligan sets Pluribus in Albuquerque, where Carol lives large on her romance book money. His time on the X-Files is also evident here: The sci-fi elements are on point, but also masterfully subverted with darkly comic elements.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about science fiction. Pluribus has a wild premise, but it's grounded in some reality. Can you think of any other sci-fi shows or movies that follow this formula?
Carol is essentially alone in the world, save for a few people. What do you think you'd do if this happened to you?
Carol has a hard exterior, but she softens at times. She's also brave—why do you think courage is an important character strength?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 7, 2025
- Cast : Rhea Seehorn , Karolina Wydra
- Network : Apple TV
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Activism ( Civic engagement , Climate change , Gender equality , LGBTQ+ rights , Racial justice ) , Dystopia , History , STEM ( Nature , Science )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : January 22, 2026
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