Parents' Guide to The Stranger

TV Quibi Drama 2020
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Common Sense Media Review

Melissa Camacho By Melissa Camacho , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 16+

Violent stalker horror full of suspense, cursing.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 16+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

THE STRANGER is a horror series about what can happen when you pick up the wrong person. Claire (Maika Monroe) is a rideshare driver who recently moved to Los Angeles from Kansas to pursue her dreams as a screenwriter. When she picks up a charming young man named Carl E. (Dane DeHaan) from his swanky home, things seem normal. But Claire soon discovers that he's not what he seems, and her world suddenly becomes a nightmare.

Is It Any Good?

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

This dark thriller offers lots of suspense-filled moments filled with unnerving twists. Thanks to good writing, what seems like a simple story reveals itself to be a complicated cat-and-mouse game that is easy to get caught up in. Meanwhile, Dehaan's strong performance as the intelligent, misogynistic, and sadistic stalker makes it creepier at every turn. If you enjoy horror stories, you will find The Stranger to be entertainingly addictive.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the appeal of thrillers. What is it about shows like The Stranger that makes them entertaining? Is it the suspense or fear it elicits when one watches them? Or is it something else?

  • What do you think is the impact of the violence featured in horror films and shows? What's the difference between shows that are gory and graphic versus those that imply violence?

TV Details

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