Parents' Guide to The Beast in Me

TV Netflix Drama 2025
The Beast in Me Poster: Claire Danes looks over her shoulder. Matthew Rhys stares ahead. A large house sits in the background.

Common Sense Media Review

By Ty'Kira Smalls , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 16+

Mystery thriller is sharp and uneasy; language, violence.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 16+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

THE BEAST IN ME follows Agatha Wiggs (Claire Danes), a once acclaimed author now drowning in debt and missing deadlines four years after her son's death. When real estate mogul Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys) moves in next door, he shakes up the neighborhood with plans to build a jogging path, something he and Agatha clash on. But soon Agatha fixates on Nile's true nature, and his possible role in the disappearance of his last wife.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

This series eerily creeps into its characters' minds and neighborhood secrets. The Beast in Me is dark, unsettling, and well-paced in its story. The performances from the cast elevate this otherwise simple (on the surface) mystery. Danes and Rhys have a menacing chemistry that's as maddening as it is magnetic. The strong language, violence, sexual content, and drinking make this suitable only for older teens.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how grief and forgiveness are explored within the show and its characters. How does it evolve over the course of the series? Do you think this show is trying to say anything about these subjects?

  • What are the personalities of Agatha and Nile? How do they clash? Are they similar in any way?

TV Details

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

The Beast in Me Poster: Claire Danes looks over her shoulder. Matthew Rhys stares ahead. A large house sits in the background.

What to Watch Next

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate