The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey
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 suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
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 Last Days of Ptolemy Grey is a drama about a man in his 90s with dementia who's given an experimental treatment that temporarily restores his memory, and uses his new clarity to solve a murder mystery. Grey, like most of the characters in this drama, is Black, and lives in a neighborhood among people who struggle financially. Violence includes a character who contemplates suicide to the point of loading a gun, and flashbacks to a lynching and a home burning with someone trapped inside. A character is killed; he's seen in visions with a bloody gunshot wound in his face, and lying dead in his coffin. A young man tries to sexually assault a young woman in her sleep; she fights him off fiercely and threatens to cut him with a knife she keeps nearby, and is then told the assault was her fault. Sexual content includes flirting and kissing. Language is infrequent but expect "motherf----r," "f--k," "f---ing," and "s--t." Black characters use the "N" word affectionately to describe Black people. Women are called "bitch" in an insulting way. Characters drink at parties and gatherings; a character drinks straight liquor but doesn't appear to be drunk.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Based on the Walter Mosley book of the same name, THE LAST DAYS OF PTOLEMY GREY stars Samuel L. Jackson as Grey, a man in his 90s who has dementia and undergoes an experimental treatment to restore his memory that ultimately hastens his decline. Watching in dismay is Robyn (Dominique Fishback), who's taken over Grey's care when his beloved nephew Reggie (Omar Benson Miller) is killed. As the two grow closer, Grey hurries to solve a murder case before his memory fades again.
Is It Any Good?
With powerful actors Samuel L. Jackson and Dominique Fishback at the center, this book-turned-limited series is affecting and habit-forming, with fully-fleshed characters occupying a brisk plot. The serum that returns Grey's memory to him and then causes him to quickly flame out is an appealing if fatally flawed fantasy in The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey: What loved one of a person with dementia hasn't imagined a way to turn back the clock? And the Grey we meet in the first episode isn't a happy or satisfied man; he hides in his roach-infested apartment, terrified of what could be outside. Meanwhile, sound and camera work show the viewer how his mind works, with memories both lovely and awful bleeding through and obscuring what's actually going on around him.
Things improve immeasurably once sympathetic teen Robyn appears, connected to Grey through a web of friends and family, herself in need of someone to care for and about her. She shapes up Grey's existence, but can only watch in dismay deepening into horror as he chooses to take the experimental treatment offered to him by the doctor he calls Satan. The twin mysteries the newly sharp Grey solves are MacGuffins that fade into the background compared to the interplay between Jackson and Fishback, which is tender, involving, and absolutely beautiful to watch. Author Mosley is known for his crime fiction and his characters; The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey gets both exactly right.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about dementia and The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey's portrayal of people with dementia. Is Ptolemy Grey a realistic character? Is he like other people with dementia that you know? Does the show's depiction of dementia ring true despite the drama's sci-fi aspects?
How are viewers supposed to feel about Ptolemy and Robyn? Are we supposed to like them? Relate to them? Laugh at them? How can you tell? How do TV shows and movies communicate how to feel about characters? Do TV shows ever make you relate to more than one character at a time?
How do the characters in The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey demonstrate empathy and compassion? Why are these important character traits?
TV Details
- Premiere date: March 11, 2022
- Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Dominique Fishback, Walton Goggins
- Network: Apple TV+
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Compassion, Empathy
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: March 29, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Iris
Excellent British biopic has nudity, sex, language, illness.
-
The Father
Alzheimer's drama has strong language and adult themes.
-
Still Alice
Moore turns Alzheimer's drama into acting master class.
For kids who love drama
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