Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mature horror series is too dark and intense for kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Strain
What's the Story?
When a commercial plane comes to a deadly quiet standstill at JFK International Airport with more than 200 people on board, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- including Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll) and his team (Mia Maestro and Sean Astin) -- are some of the first to arrive on the scene. But THE STRAIN that's infected the passengers is unlike anything they've ever seen before.
Is It Any Good?
This series gets off to an awfully slow start -- and maybe that's by design, considering the startling twists that lie in wait as the series progresses. Sprung from the mind of acclaimed film director Guillermo Del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth), The Strain is so startling you might find yourself reluctantly watching through your fingers to see just how scary it gets (and we assure you: It gets pretty scary).
Del Toro's filmmaking influence is readily apparent, and, in spite of some hammy dialogue, there's much to admire in the otherwise artful details. It's also great to see House of Cards' Stoll resurrected on the small screen. But The Strain's creepy charms won't appeal to everyone, and the coarse language and violent visuals push it squarely into the realm of mature content.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about infectious diseases, vampires, and the real-life fears that fuel The Strain's fantastical concept. What's the appeal behind shows designed to scare us? Why do we watch -- even when we're watching with our hands over our eyes?
How does The Strain compare to other dramas with supernatural story lines? In what ways does the creator/director's film background influence the show's look and feel?
Do you think The Strain deserves a TV-MA rating? Where's the line when it comes to content that's too scary for kids?
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 13, 2014
- Cast : Corey Stoll , Sean Astin , Jonathan Hyde
- Network : FX
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , STEM
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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