Parents' Guide to

Swarm

By Ty'Kira Smalls, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Stan culture has no limits in this bloody, dramedy thriller.

TV Amazon Prime Video Drama 2023
Swarm TV show poster: Dre looks slack-faced at her phone

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

  • Swarm TV show: Dre and Marissa are reflected in a large lighted mirror
  • Swarm TV show: Dre mops blood off a white floor

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What's the Story?

Dre (Dominique Fishback) is part of the SWARM -- the name of the fanbase surrounding major pop star Ni'Jah (Nirine S. Brown). Dre's got posters of Ni'Jah all around her room, listens to her music on repeat, and defends the singer passionately against anyone who isn't a follower. Her sister Marissa (Chloe Bailey) follows Ni'Jah as well, but unlike Dre, she grew out of the intensity. After a fight between the two, Dre comes home to find Marissa dead and that her boyfriend Khalid (Damson Idris) cheated on her. With no one else in her corner, Dre pays Khalid a deadly visit. Fueled by the taste of blood and passion for Ni'Jah, how far will Dre go in her descent into The Swarm?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1):

This series is buzzing with cultural parody, which is a little too on the nose at times. Swarm is surrealistic, dark, and unsettling. The standout of the show is Dominique Fishback's performance; she portrays the unhinged, fragile, volatile qualities of Dre in a cocktail that's the right amount of uncomfortable yet intriguing. The explicit sex scenes, general degradation of women, violence, and strong language make this more suitable for an older audience. There's potential for conversations surrounding celebrity/stan culture, but the message is definitely lost among all the murders going on.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the depiction of violence in Swarm. Does this series glamorize violence? What real-life consequences would come from Dre's actions?

  • Why do we sometimes root for villains? Is Dre considered a "villain"? How is she portrayed in the show? Is she glamorized?

  • How is celebrity/stan culture portrayed in the show? How accurate is this compared to real life? Are you a major fan of someone or something? Are there any pros or cons to this kind of culture?

TV Details

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