The Baby
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The Baby
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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 The Baby is a horror-comedy series that involves a mysterious baby with very creepy vibes falling into the hands of a hesitant woman. Motherhood and parenting are explored, and the main character is a Black woman who rejects motherhood. Scenes frequently show the aftermath of violence, which is usually a corpse bleeding on the ground. The baby sometimes shows up as a demonic entity. There are "jump scares," where someone suddenly shows up and startles the main character. Altogether, the atmosphere is creepy and unsettling. Characters are shown kissing/making out, fondling, and there are scenes that suggest sex or plans to have sex. People sometimes strip down to their underwear. Strong, repetitive use of words like "s--t," "piss," "f--k," "damn," "d--k," "a--hole," "shite," "sh--hole," and "hell." Everyone smokes cigarettes, and alcohol is socially consumed. Multiple characters of different races and ethnicities explore their own storylines. Subjects of sexuality, gender, and mental health are featured.
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What's the Story?
Everyone in Natasha's (Michelle de Swarte) life seems to want to start a family, something she's not interested in at all. But when THE BABY literally drops into her hands one day, she's face-to-face with the exact lifestyle she's been dreading. After her vacation gets interrupted, Natasha sets out to get this mysterious child out of her life pronto. It seems that no matter where she dumps the infant, she can't escape it. Not only does it always find a way back to her, but death and chaos are also left in the baby's wake. There's no way this baby is killing people, and there's no way this baby is evil...right?
Is It Any Good?
The premise is unique and pays off oddly well, especially being presented as a horror-comedy. The main character actively rejecting motherhood and babies in a world where everyone does the exact opposite is a nice contrast in The Baby. Suspense and witty dialogue will have viewers laughing one moment and creeped out the next. The baby symbolism of being a sort of host/parasite is also an interesting touch.
The blood and creepy atmosphere might make squeamish younger viewers uncomfortable. But overall, the show balances this with absurdity and humor, which could make it a lighter, fun watch for teens.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about kids in the horror genre, especially since The Baby focuses on the child as the source. Is it more or less scary because it follows a baby? How is the baby scaring people? How do you feel about the media portraying/using kids in this genre?
Scenes suggest the baby is connected to a lot of death/violence that people face in this show. How does this show use violence? How does that affect the scariness?
TV Details
- Premiere date: April 24, 2022
- Cast: Michelle de Swarte, Amira Ghazalla, Albie Hills, Arthur Hills
- Network: HBO
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: September 4, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Chucky
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The Haunting of Bly Manor
Classic novella becomes elegant, spooky ghost story.
For kids who love horror and comedy
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