Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Intense blood and guts in fresh horror/comedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Santa Clarita Diet
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 12 parent reviews
Parents say this show is a mixed bag of humor and controversy, with some praising its comedic horror elements and engaging family dynamics, while others criticize its graphic violence and explicit language, deeming it unsuitable for younger viewers. Many agree that despite its entertaining moments, the excessive gore and crude content outweigh the humor, leading to a lack of appeal for certain audiences.
- graphic content
- unsuitable for children
- mixed reviews
- comedic horror
- entertaining moments
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 36 kid reviews
What's the Story?
Sheila (Drew Barrymore) and Joel (Timothy Olyphant) have a great life. They work together in a successful realty business, they own a nice house in a safe suburb, they even get along with their sarcastic teen daughter, Abby (Liv Hewson). But things change one otherwise normal day, when Sheila suddenly dies, then revives with a new zest for life -- and is on the SANTA CLARITA DIET of human flesh. She's, well, not a zombie, as her teen neighbor Eric (Skyler Gisondo) puts it, because that word is so "inherently negative." But she's no longer your average suburban realtor, either, as the family pulls together to hide her secret and Sheila discovers that being undead can be sorta fun.
Is It Any Good?
If Shaun of the Dead was the original romzomcom, this sun-drenched slice of absurd gore with razor-sharp dialogue is the first zom-sitcom. We've seen shows with Something Evil lurking beneath a calm suburban surface before (Desperate Housewives) where drab characters suddenly break free (Breaking Bad), and even those where a zombie sometimes passes for human (iZombie). But though the strands of Santa Clarita Diet's DNA are familiar, it's so funny and adorable that you can't help loving it anyway. For his part, Joel loves his wife (and his life) and only has small complaints.
Santa Clarita Diet does embrace sitcom clichés and characters, such as Sheila's hectoring boss (Andy Richter) and handsome-yet-creepy new coworker (Nathan Fillion). But it all works, because the things they say are hysterical, and the show has an undeniable core of sweetness running through it, particularly in scenes where Sheila, Joel, and Abby work together to hide Sheila's secret. Underneath the chewed-off digits and ripped-open chest cavities, Sheila's just a woman who wants freedom and fun and to do it without upending her peaceful family existence. What long-married spouse can say different?
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the recent rise of zombies in popular culture (for example, in shows such as The Walking Dead). What's the appeal? Can a film mix brutal violence and comedy? Horror and humor? How does the comedic tone of Santa Clarita Diet affect the impact of the violence?
When it comes to violent content on television, does this show cross the line? Would the show still be gripping if it were any less gory?
Zombies are often used as a metaphor: for mindless behavior, a creeping menace, fascism. What is the metaphorical meaning of turning Sheila into a zombie?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 3, 2017
- Cast : Drew Barrymore , Timothy Olyphant , Liv Hewson
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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