Ultimate Beastmaster

TV review by Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media
Ultimate Beastmaster Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 12+

Grueling reality show rewards perseverance, determination.

Netflix Reality TV 2017
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Parents say

age 10+

Based on 6 reviews

Kids say

age 9+

Based on 9 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Ultimate Beastmaster is an intense and physical reality series. Contestants race each other and the clock to move through rounds of an obstacle course that tests them both physically and mentally. When they succeed, the victories are sweeter for the struggle it took to get there; when they fail, the disappointment is palpable. Expect to see many painful missteps on the course as well as the resulting bruises and scrapes, and there's some mild language ("ass" and "s--t," for instance) at times.

Community Reviews

Ava C.
Ava C. Adult
July 23, 2022
age 6+

AMAZING TV SHOW!!

A really good TV show. Some of the stories are sob stories but it's all good. The only thing is the gore. This one girl's arm tore open! That isn't acceptable.

This title has:

Too much violence
Utopianwizard
Utopianwizard Adult
January 10, 2022
age 14+

A host with the Most . . . Arrogance

I'm 74 years old, a retired English professor, and I gotta say, I woulda given 5 stars to this show, if Chris Distefano had been required to take some classes on humility. He really seems to need to listen to himself in every episode where he shows his biases against some of the non American contestants. So far while watching season 2 ,I noticed how he would make some very demeaning remarks about some of the competitors like ". . . well, he's a Frenchman and a showoff . . . ". I was embarrassed that he's so insensitive to the words coming out of his mouth. The above paraphrase is just 1 remark that stands as part of a pattern that seems so inappropriate for a HOST for the competition, a position that, it would seem to me, should be careful about not stereotyping people on such a social as well as cultural medium as Netflix/International television. Just a thought!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

ULTIMATE BEASTMASTER is a reality competition series in which contestants attempt to conquer a massive obstacle course called "The Beast." Teams from six countries -- Mexico, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and the United States -- face off in groups of 12 with top-performing players advancing through the rounds to an eventual $10,000 win at the end of each episode and the overall champion taking home $50,000 and the title of Ultimate Beastmaster. This groundbreaking series produced by Sylvester Stallone and hosted in the United States by Terry Crews and Charissa Thompson is released in different versions specific to each participating country and features an announcing team from each as well.

Is It Any Good?

This test of extreme physical and psychological strength doesn't bring much that's new to the table with regard to the contest itself, but its programming format definitely bends the curve. With competitors hailing from all over the globe, the series' unique layout allows for simultaneous commentary from all the hosts and broadcasts to the participating nations that more heavily feature local athletes. It's an undertaking that promises to influence future reality shows like it.

As for the contest itself, each round of obstacles takes place in a different area of a gigantic 600-foot-long metal beast, which, to be honest, is a little corny. But the tasks are grueling and strategic and require the contestants to push themselves to their limits. When they're victorious, it's rewarding to see their pride. When they fail, the disappointment can be agonizing. On the whole, Ultimate Beastmaster is a family-friendly pick that reminds viewers of the value of perseverance and determination.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the purpose of competition in general and in Ultimate Beastmaster. How does putting our skills against another person's make us better? How does it feel to win? To lose?

  • What do you think inspires these athletes' sense of perseverance? Put in the same position, could you stick with these kinds of challenges the way they do?

  • How does this show's multicultural contestant pool promote respect for diversity? What qualities unify these participants? How do you find common ground with people who are very different from you?

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