Parents' Guide to

The UnXplained with William Shatner

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Theatrical reality doc features mysteries, violent images.

TV Netflix Reality TV 2019
The UnXplained TV show poster

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

  • The UnXplained TV show: Voodoo ritual.
  • The UnXplained TV show: Big Foot sighting
  • The UnXplained TV show: Severe lightning

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What's the Story?

THE UNXPLAINED WITH WILLIAM SHATNER is a reality documentary series hosted by William Shatner that explores some of the world's most inexplicable mysteries. With the help of historians, journalists, writers, and other experts, stories are shared about strange and fascinating events, including paranormal activities, bizarre rituals that appear to have an impact on real life, and unusual weather phenomena. People who have witnessed or participated in some of these events also share their experiences. Meanwhile, scientists offer explanations for what may be behind these situations, and occasionally highlight the answers they still do not have.

Is It Any Good?

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

The documentary series offers lots of intriguing narratives about peculiar practices, extraordinary moments, and fantastical events in history that may or may not be explained away by science. Its entertainment value comes from the dramatic way William Shatner plays up these stories, which is accompanied by CGI-enhanced visuals, added sounds, and reenactments of specific events. Adding to this are the conversations with paranormal experts, spiritualists, and others who believe in forces greater than science that are often much more captivating than the academic studies and objective evidence being offered. Skeptics will find much of what The UnXplained has to offer hard to take seriously. Nonetheless, others will find the experience both engrossing and enjoyable.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the reason people are fascinated by things that scare or mystify us. Why do people search for paranormal activity, or hunt for beasts like Big Foot? How does the media portray people who are interested in these kinds of things?

  • Some of the phenomena discussed in The UnXplained with William Shatner are based on ancient myths and legends. What different kinds of sciences are being used today to explain what they happen? Will we ever truly know if these explanations are accurate?

TV Details

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