Common Sense Media Review
By Ashley Moulton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mythology meets modern life with some peril and suspense.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Secrets at Red Rocks
What's the Story?
In SECRETS AT RED ROCKS, 12-year-old Jake (Korban Knock) is spending his summer in Wellington, New Zealand, with his dad, Robert (Dominic Ona-Ariki). While exploring Wellington's famous red-hued rocks near the ocean, Jake has some mysterious experiences. He keeps encountering a red-haired woman who wears old-fashioned Irish clothing, acts strangely, and disappears in a flash. During one of his explorations of the red rocks, he finds a seal skin in a cave and brings it home. The seal skin has a magical hold over Jake. The locals explain to Jake that the skin belongs to a selkie, a mythical creature that changes between seal and human. Jake must return the skin to its rightful owner so the selkie can avoid a terrible fate.
Is It Any Good?
This series isn't like a lot of U.S. tween television: It's moody and slow-paced and has sparse dialogue. Secrets at Red Rocks is well-acted and has a gorgeous New Zealand setting, and the mashup of Celtic folklore and Maori culture is cool. Kids into mythological creatures will enjoy seeing selkie lore come to life, but others will probably be less interested. Despite its interesting conceit and characters, Secrets at Red Rocks' serious film-like atmosphere may not draw kids in.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Jake's actions in Secrets at Red Rocks. Why do you think he's drawn to the Red Rocks and the selkie skin, even when it's dangerous? Do you think it's OK for him to not tell the whole truth to his dad about what he's doing at Red Rocks?
How do the Maori traditions of the New Zealand locals mix with the Scottish mythology of the selkie? Is there anything about the Maori or Scottish mythology you're curious to learn more about?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 13, 2025
- Cast : Korban Knock , Zeta Sutherland , Dominic Ona-Ariki
- Network : BYUtv
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Book Characters , School ( Middle School )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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