Parents' Guide to

The X-Files (2016)

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

The truth (and some scary stuff) is still out there.

TV Fox Science Fiction 2016
The X-Files (2016) Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 1 parent review

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CSMContentDefault Adult
February 7, 2018
age 14+

Great reboot is slightly edgier than old series and Common Sense Review

Violence/Scariness: Occasional bloodless gunshots with minimal injury detail. Some explosions, including one which was a terrorist attack. Moderate surgery and autopsy scenes. One episode features sight of bite marks on necks, not too bad. Another shows a character commit suicide, by shoving a knife into ear (not very bloody but still cringe-inducing). Brief moment of Strong violence in which a character has his head and arms ripped off by supernatural creature (bloody but no lingering sight on injury detail). Some episodes are scary, the X-Files is horror after all, but not are really terrifying. Language: Some mild language, such as damn, hell, crap. Rare moderate language such as b*tch or d-bag. Overall tame by modern standards. Sex/Nudity: A couple episodes are much edgier than the Common Sense Review would lead you to believe. As always, some romantic tension between Mulder and Scully. In one episode a gay character thinks Mulder is flirting with him (meant for comical effect). Parody scene of country music video features suggestive dancing (not too bad though). A hotel owner spies on Mulder sleeping in a speedo through peephole (again, for comic effect). The third episode I believe is where it really gets edgy though. There is a brief visual reference to porn (non-graphic video is seen, no nudity) and in a fantasy sequence Scully seduces a man and begins to passionately kiss him. Also a discussion on transgender. Drugs: Iconic villain character constantly smokes. Two secondary characters get high in woods off of spray paint, clearly frowned upon and not directly portrayed.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Some 13 years after the original series ended, polar-opposite partners Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) are reopening THE X-FILES, examining new evidence that suggests an even wider-reaching government conspiracy than they once thought possible. This six-episode miniseries brings back some familiar faces (including Skinner and the infamous "Smoking Man") but also introduces new characters, so it's more of a continuation than a reboot.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (7):

Die-hard fans have been waiting a long time for The X-Files to return to television. And they'll be satisfied -- if not pleased -- with the results of this intriguing six-episode "event." Mulder and Scully are older and wiser, not necessarily different but certainly changed by what they've seen, and the presence of some other familiar faces makes the show's decade-plus absence feel more, as creator Chris Carter has described, like "a 13-year commercial break."

In other words, if you loved it then, you'll love it now. And though newcomers to the series might have a tough time jumping in with no backstory, there's enough recap (maybe too much for fans) that a willing viewer wouldn't be entirely lost. This is a franchise known for scariness and dark themes, so parents should consider whether their teens can handle the intensity. And though it makes sense to bring some new characters into the mix, none of them stands out as much as the original crew (the usually charming Joel McHale falls short as a conspiracy-obsessed talk show host). Beyond the mysteries and questions, one of the greatest things about The X-Files is the relationship between Mulder and Scully (who work as true partners in every sense of the word), so it's a pleasure to see them back together -- even if it's only for a little while.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how The X-Files (2016) relates to the original X-Files series and why it took over a decade to get the show back on the air. Why bring it back, and why create a six-episode "event" rather than a full season of episodes? Does the event series do anything differently in terms of its plot, pacing, and characters?

  • How do Scully and Mulder measure up as role models? What are their strengths and weaknesses, and how well do they work as a team?

  • What position does The X-Files (2016) take on the U.S. government and our ability to trust those in charge? How much of what we're told is fact, and how much is fiction? Why might the government try to shield the general public from the truth, and is it ethical to do so?

TV Details

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