Sons of Anarchy

TV review by Kari Croop, Common Sense Media
Sons of Anarchy Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 17+

Violent biker drama has blood, sex -- and a twisted heart.

FX Drama 2008
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 18 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 19 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Sons of Anarchy centers on a tough-talking, hard-living motorcycle gang that runs an illegal gun-running operation and protects its members by any means possible. That translates into violent scenes that often veer into shocking territory, with blood (and guts) shown on-screen, and even some story lines that touch on sexually violent acts such as rape and child pornography. Sexual content can be equally graphic (including simulated sex and some partial nudity), and social drinking is common, with occasional drug references and use. Unbleeped language includes "s--t," along with some sexist and racist insults.

Community Reviews

bonnbonn1989
bonnbonn1989 Adult
April 5, 2019
age 18+

Not for Minors

My husband and I love this show and still watch it often even though the series has ended, HOWEVER, it is most definitely NOT suitable for young children or immature teenagers. Definitely know your child before allowing them to watch. The show features excessive drinking, drug use, extreme violence, physical and emotional abuse, rape, murder, illegal gun trade, porn, lots and lots of sex, blackmail, racism (the gangs are divided by race and follow stereotypes), kidnapping (the main character's infant son is kidnapped), and corrupt politicians and law enforcement. Even the law enforcement agents that come into the show being the "good guys" end up willingly helping out the SOA by the end of their time on the show. No one is really exempt. I think the show does a great job of portraying the gang world as accurately as it can (obviously there are things we can only speculate about since we're not in a gang). It's not an easy or nice way of life and Sons of Anarchy portrays that well.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
1 person found this helpful.
sam A.
sam A. Adult
August 10, 2017
age 14+

great tv show

i watched this with my kids aged 14 and 11 and we all really enjoyed it, super good show and it is quit positive , it has good role models trying to keep the peace and protect their town. i think that you should give it a go and watch it for a while as it always gets better. they smoke a lot though and have sex but it isnt graphic as sex is very natural and thats how we are all made.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 18 parent reviews

What's the Story?

At the heart of SONS OF ANARCHY is Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam), a father of two who questions his outlaw lifestyle and wants to restore the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club to his late father's vision. But Jax's mother, Gemma (Katey Sagal), and stepfather, Clay (Ron Perlman), are threatened by the idea that Jax might be considering a new direction, which could jeopardize the business they've worked -- and killed -- to build.

Is It Any Good?

Although the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club is headquartered in the town of Charming, Calif., regular viewers know that the town's name is as ironic as it gets. Although the characters are complex and often compelling, "charming" is one thing they're not. They drink, they swear, they kill. But, beneath the crude-talking, murderous exterior, Sons of Anarchy actually does have a heart -- the only catch is, it's kind of twisted.

So, Sons won't be for everyone. But those who don't mind rooting for bad guys who are actually kind of good guys (yet are still, by very definition, bad guys) will find a potentially addicting show fueled by stunning plot twists, critically acclaimed performances (Sagal nabbed a Golden Globe for her work), and loose ties to William Shakespeare's Hamlet -- which could very well foreshadow these characters' fates.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about biker gangs -- how they are in real life and the way they're typically portrayed in movies and television. Does Sons of Anarchy show these gangs in a new light or maintain the general stereotype that bikers are criminals? Why do bikers tend to be demonized?

  • How is an antihero different from a traditional hero? Is it possible to care about a character who isn't sympathetic or likable in the traditional sense? What, if anything, makes Sons of Anarchy's characters worth your time?

  • How closely does Sons of Anarchy adhere to Shakespeare's Hamlet, the timeless tragedy that loosely inspired it? What are the obvious similarities, particularly in terms of plot and character? How often have the writers strayed from the bard's blueprint?

TV Details

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