Parents' Guide to

Too Old to Die Young

By Martin Brown, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Indulgent, violent mystery series about a corrupt cop.

TV Amazon Prime Video Drama 2019
Too Old to Die Young Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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What's the Story?

Corrupt cop Martin Jones (Miles Teller) has ties to a local drug syndicate. When his partner is murdered on duty by a rival cartel, Martin gets pulled into an underground network that may involve a Mexican cartel, the Russian mafia, the Yakuza, and the LAPD.

Is It Any Good?

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

This overlong, super-slow series lacks the dramatic tension that its creator Refn is known for. The past two decades have seen series creators and showrunners -- roles that used to be anonymous -- become brand names, so it shouldn't be a surprise that television now seems to be entering its auteur phase. Networks and steaming services have grown comfortable with recruiting notable directors and giving them complete autonomy over their work. When that strategy pays off, you might end up with something as unique and beguiling as David Lynch's Twin Peaks: The Return. When it doesn't, you might end up with something like Too Old to Die Young, an indulgent and irrationally confident series that demands too many hours of investment while teasing a payoff that may not ever come. The series feels like it's made for hardcore fans only -- maybe even as a test of their devotion to their favorite auteur.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about police corruption. Why does Officer Jones behave the way that he does? How is he using his position to benefit himself? Is this an abuse of power? How often do you think this behavior happens in real life?

  • Who are you rooting for in this story? Why? Do characters behave how you expect them to or does anyone surprise you?

  • Why do you think the creators make some of the aesthetic choices they do? For example, why do you think the show moves at such a slow pace? Does this benefit the series? Why or why not?

TV Details

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