Parents' Guide to The Tourist

TV Max Action 2022
The Tourist: TV Poster

Common Sense Media Review

Gemma Agravante By Gemma Agravante , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

Clever banter offsets gory thrills in rough Aussie outback.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 17+

Based on 1 parent review

What's the Story?

In THE TOURIST, deep in the Australian outback, after being hit by a semi-truck driver intent on his murder, The Man (Jamie Dornan) wakes up in the hospital with no memory of himself or the accident. When a rookie police officer (Danielle Macdonald) shows up to take his statement, she brings him closer to finding the truth about his identity.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 1 ):
Kids say : Not yet rated

This surprisingly gripping limited series is perfectly entertaining and has everything you'd assume from an action drama. The Tourist boasts an amnesiac protagonist, car chases, shoot-outs, explosions, mysterious love interests, twists, turns, and jaw drops, all wrapped up like a tight six-episode burrito (watch it -- you'll get it). Unexpected humor peppered through the dialogue balances adrenaline-filled scenes, transitioning the viewer straight into the next roller-coaster drop of The Man's identity unfolding.

The Tourist is also a great reminder that Jamie Dornan is especially likable when he uses his own Irish accent. He's awkward but charming in an early-series "Bette Davis Eyes" driver's-seat singalong, speeding through the Australian south. Danielle Macdonald is an absolute star as Probationary Constable Helen Chambers; her character encourages a contagious hope that even her terrible fiancé can't quash. The series has moments of levity and comedy (including a particularly excellent potato joke). It has just enough personal background for the few supporting characters to round out their motivations, even bringing humanity to the poor choices some of the characters repeat. Overall, it's funny and full of plot twists, and it binges fast. Talk about empathy and accountability with your teens while watching; there are plenty of conversation starters.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the violence in The Tourist. Was this type of violence different from what you've seen before? How does violence add or detract from the story?

  • Helen continues to help The Man even after she understands more about his past. Do you think you'd be willing to show him the same empathy?

  • How are drugs represented? Talk about the consequences the characters face from their use.

TV Details

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The Tourist: TV Poster

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