Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Drugs, sex, violence in mysterious, inclusive sci-fi drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Sense8
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 17 parent reviews
Based on 12 kid reviews
Kids say the show is not suitable for younger audiences due to its explicit content, including graphic sex scenes, nudity, and themes of drug use and violence. However, reviewers highlight its unique premise, diverse characters, and ability to address relevant societal issues, particularly around LGBTQ+ experiences, making it a worthwhile watch for mature viewers.
- explicit content
- mature themes
- diverse characters
- strong messages
- not for kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In the eerie drama SENSE8, eight strangers living very different lives in different cities all over the world suddenly find themselves linked together. South Korean businesswoman Sun (Bae Doona) allows her attention to drift from a client meeting and suddenly has a vision of a woman dying by suicide. Chicago cop Will (Brian J Smith) starts seeing scenes from the life of Icelandic DJ Riley (Tuppence Middleton). A Nairobi bus driver, Capheus (Aml Ameen and Toby Onwumere), appears over the shoulder of Mexican movie star Lito (Miguel Ángel Silvestre), and Indian scientist Kala (Tina Desai) experiences the crimes of petty thief Wolfgang (Max Riemelt) in Germany. None of these newly minted "sensates" know why they're having these visions, what they mean, or what they portend. But they're going to have to figure it out pretty quickly, as a nefarious, mysterious corporation knows much more than they do––and it's already working on tracking the sensates down and using them for a yet-to-be-discovered purpose.
Is It Any Good?
The Wachowskis' drama-infused sci-fi series is saddled with one of the more clichéd premises of modern television: strangers with a mysterious connection. Yet Sense8's intriguing execution of said premise puts this drama on the "has something" list, despite some downsides. Chief among them: painfully clunky exposition. In addition, audience members will wonder exactly why characters in far-flung locations are all speaking English. The Korean, German, Icelandic, and African characters really can't be subtitled?
Nonetheless, Sense8 has exciting characters that viewers don't often get to see. It centers on Nomi, a transgender woman who commands much of the action, and women in general are given plenty to chew on. Sense8's slow-burn storytelling is also well suited both to Netflix's binge-watch capabilities and to viewers who insist on TV that stands up to repeat viewing, criticism, and analysis. There are clever ideas at work here. Give this show enough time and attention, and it might grow on you.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Sense8's premise. Is it realistic, or fantastic? Do people really have visions of other people's lives? How do you know? Do TV shows have to be realistic to be interesting?
How do you suppose the creators of Sense8 chose the cities their characters are from? How does this international setting contribute to the show? Would you like to participate in an international community? Why, or why not?
Sense8's nonlinear plot can make it challenging to figure out what's going on. Which other dramas or comedies can you name with plots that jump around in time or setting?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 5, 2015
- Cast : Doona Bae , Naveen Andrews , Terrence Mann , Freema Agyeman
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Fantasy , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Award : Emmy - Emmy Award Nominee
- Last updated : February 25, 2026
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
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