Common Sense Media Review
By Matt Cabral
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence, peril in action-packed video game adaptation.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft
What's the Story?
TOMB RAIDER: THE LEGEND OF LARA CROFT picks up after the events of the recent "Survivor" trilogy of games (Tomb Raider, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Shadow of the Tomb Raider). Hayley Atwell voices the titular treasure hunter in an original tale that's tied to those entries, but mostly pushes forward with a brand new quest and fresh foe. Seasoned spelunkers will recognize returning characters, such as Jonah (reprised by the games' Earl Baylon), and appreciate all the callouts to the series' past, but the 8-episode show generally works as a standalone story newcomers can also enjoy.
Is It Any Good?
Long before The Last of Us and Fallout turned video games into compelling TV, Netflix's adaptations Castlevania, The Witcher, and Arcane had already done right by the interactive entertainment medium. The streamer continues its streak with Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, a beautifully animated, action-packed romp that should please both longtime fans of the franchise and those who've never clutched a controller while navigating a pit of spikes.
As expected, the series packs enough trap-riddled, treasure-hunting exploits to make Indiana Jones envious. But the show surprisingly spends as much time in Lara's head as it does any creepy crypt. Superbly voiced by Hayley Atwell, Lady Croft is a complex, emotionally layered character whose personal struggles are often more daunting than any supernatural threat she faces. In fact, the protagonist's especially nuanced portrayal can make the other characterizations—including the one-note baddie (Richard Armitage)—seem a bit shallow by comparison. That gripe aside, Tomb Raider works well as a fan-servicing continuation of the game series, while also inviting the uninitiated to grab a pickaxe and dig into the artifact-finding fun.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about games' adaptations into movies or TV shows. Do you prefer them to be live-action or animated adaptations? What do you think the different mediums and styles bring to, or take away from, the source material?
Talk about Lara's relationships. Which characters is she closest to and why? Why does she struggle to connect with some of her friends? How do her emotional struggles affect her relationships?
Do you consider Lara a hero even though she commits some violent acts? Why does she commit these acts, and are they justified? Can she be a hero and a positive role model, but also be flawed and make mistakes?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 10, 2024
- Cast : Hayley Atwell
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Action
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Courage , Curiosity , Empathy , Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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