Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent dystopian drama with strong female role models.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The 100
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 71 parent reviews
Based on 285 kid reviews
Kids say this show provides a blend of strong storytelling and character development coupled with intense violence and mature themes, making it suitable for older teens but potentially inappropriate for younger viewers. Many reviews highlight the graphic content, including gore and dark themes, while underscoring the importance of parental guidance and individual maturity when deciding on viewership.
- graphic violence
- mature themes
- strong characters
- parental guidance
- age recommendation
- character development
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In THE 100, it's been 97 years since a nuclear apocalypse wiped out life on Earth—leaving only the 400 people aboard a scattering of space stations alive—and humans are returning to the planet for the first time. The emissaries are 100 juvenile prisoners who've spent their whole lives aboard the Ark, a colossal spacecraft formed by joining 12 international space stations, which has served as the home for three generations of survivors and their offspring. Not yet 18 and thus not subject to the Ark's stringent capital-punishment law, the 100 juvies are sent to Earth as test subjects to gauge the safety of its elements for the entire population's eventual return. But once there, chaos ensues as various factions vie for dominance, and many cut off communication with the Ark entirely. Standing strong is Clarke Griffin (Eliza Taylor), a natural leader determined to survive and to reunite with her mom once the planet is deemed safe. Over the course of the series, Clarke manages to form a strong alliance with likeminded friends: The fierce warrior Octavia (Marie Avgeropoulos) transforms into a formidable leader known as "Blodreina" (the Red Queen); the brilliant mechanic and engineer Raven (Lindsey Morgan) persists through her pains; and the rebellious teenager Bellamy (Bob Morley) grows into manhood and becomes a thoughtful commander. In this cruel reality, their complicated friendships, determination to survive, and willingness to maintain their integrity are put to the test.
Is It Any Good?
Based on Kass Morgan's same-named book, this series is a tantalizing dystopian drama laced with suspense, teen romance, and plenty of villains you'll love to hate. Equally visible in The 100 are some quality role models, particularly pragmatic Clarke, whose only offense is spreading the truth about the Ark's dwindling supplies, and her fearless mom, Abby (Paige Turco), who sticks to her own ethical code in spite of outside pressure.
This action-packed show is heated and violent, yes, but that's not without good reason, given the urgency of the storyline. Unquestioned capital punishment and the totalitarian power of the Ark's governing body would hardly be viable plot points for viewers if the story didn't present them in the right context of an oppressive, Draconian society. But even with such justification, the violence in The 100 is very graphic and often erupts between teens, so take care in sussing out your teen's readiness for this weighty story and its messages.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the government's role in people's lives in The 100. How are the challenges of keeping order different here than they are in the real countries we live in nowadays? Are the government's rules in The 100 appropriate for keeping people safe? What about our government's rules?
How do Clarke and her allies demonstrate character strengths including courage and integrity? How do they maintain these strengths in a challenging world where some rules fail to keep them safe? What can viewers learn from them?
Is some violent content better than other kinds in entertainment? Does violence in media ever serve a valuable purpose? If so, what?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 19, 2014
- Cast : Paige Turco , Thomas McDonell , Eliza Taylor
- Network : CW
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , STEM
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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