Parents' Guide to Point Pleasant

TV Fox Drama 2005
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Common Sense Media Review

Jill Murphy By Jill Murphy , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 16+

The OC meets Rosemary's Baby. Ick.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 16+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

In POINT PLEASANT, the daughter of the devil washes ashore in a New Jersey coastal town. With her presence comes a series of bizarre incidents, each less interesting and more disturbing than the next. Christina (Elisabeth Harnios) is unaware of her past or of the power she has over the emotions and hidden desires of those around her. Christina's emotions are transferred into literal connotations and are considered part of her \"evil.\" For example, when she takes a liking to Jesse (Samuel Page), the lifeguard who discovered her as she washed up, her raging jealousy of Jesse's girlfriend, Paula (Cameron Richardson), nearly kills the couple in an explosive car fire.

Is It Any Good?

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

The young women in Point Pleasant are portrayed as almost animalistic, unable to control natural emotions and sort out teenage insecurities. What seem like average teen problems -- abandonment, envy, distrust, love -- are all over-dramatized because a "devil" has moved in to town.

Teens will likely prove to be too smart for the ridiculous plot line and lack of character that Point Pleasant captures. It's a campy, obvious, and desperate attempt to reincarnate shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer or The OC, and an unsuccessful one at that. Fortunately for parents, there aren't even enough dramatic elements to grip teens into yet another soap.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what situations in the series their teens feel they can relate to. The program can also be used as a springboard into a discussion about one-night stands, infidelity, and jealous behaviors. Are these teens at all realistic? Do they look and act like anyone you know?

TV Details

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