Parents' Guide to Transatlantic

TV Netflix Drama 2023
Transatlantic: A woman stand between two men, all three are dressed in World War II era clothing with the word Transatlantic across the bottom.

Common Sense Media Review

Stephanie Morgan By Stephanie Morgan , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 14+

WWII tale visually stuns but can feel convoluted.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 14+?

Any Positive Content?

  • Transatlantic: Woman in a fancy dress and a man in a white suit coat stand on a balcony over the water, holding cocktails and looking at each other.

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What's the Story?

Set in the last port in France not occupied by the Nazis in the early 1940s, TRANSATLANTIC explores the daring true story of The Emergency Rescue Committee, a cobbled together network of local spies, led by American Varian Fry (played by Cory Michael Smith), who successfully smuggled over 2,000 refugee artists and intellectuals to safety during WWII.

Is It Any Good?

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

A celebration of humanity, this is a World War II drama that focuses on the heroism of its refugees in addition to those who chose to help them. The heavy subject matter of Transatlantic is lightened with gorgeous costumes and cinematography that captures everything in a sepia, Wes Andersonian technicolor. The whole series, and particularly a party scene half-way through the story, is a celebration of the indomitable spirit of the artist.

However, the show's attempt to cover so many plotlines (spies, refugees, resistance fighters, POWs, inter-racial and gay lovers, people back from the dead, and more) hampers its ability to fully develop any one story. Despite poignant moments, the complex web of plots often feels more like a heist movie than a war drama and results in a lack of tension throughout most of the series. The final two episodes, which are quite good, provide some payoff for viewers who stick it out, it's just a shame many will have dropped the series before ever reaching them.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the many ways that people display both empathy and courage throughout Transatlantic. Why are these important character strengths in everyday life as well as in extreme circumstances such as war?

  • Early in the show a Jewish man waiting to stow away on a ship to America speaks about the value of perseverance. How is this displayed throughout the show?

  • At one point a police officer says there is no difference between "criminal aliens" and "refugees." Is he right? Why or why not?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by

Transatlantic: A woman stand between two men, all three are dressed in World War II era clothing with the word Transatlantic across the bottom.

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