Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Charming, hilarious comedy includes sex, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 14 parent reviews
Parents say many find this show entertaining and quirky with strong character portrayals and humorous takes on serious subjects. However, concerns about inappropriate content and suitability for family viewing are prevalent, as several reviewers found it uncomfortable or unsuitable for younger audiences due to sexual references and dark themes.
- entertaining quirkiness
- inappropriate content
- family viewing concerns
- strong character portrayals
- dark themes
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 50 kid reviews
Kids say the show is a highly entertaining comedy that features strong characters and clever humor, although it does include some adult content and discussions around serious themes such as kidnapping and sexuality. Many viewers recommend it as suitable for mature teens and adults, highlighting its positive messages about empowerment and resilience, while suggesting that younger children may not grasp all of the nuanced jokes.
- funny characters
- adult content
- positive messages
- suitable for teens
- strong role models
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT stars Ellie Kemper as the titular character, who's liberated from an underground bunker after 15 years under the thumb of doomsday cult leader Richard Wayne Gary Wayne (Jon Hamm). After making the rounds of morning news shows, Kimmy sets out to start a new life in New York City, unimpeded by her notoriety as one of the "Indiana Mole Women." Despite a total lack of resources, in record time, she lands a job as a nanny for the entitled son and stepdaughter of self-absorbed socialite Jacqueline (Jane Krakowski) and finds an apartment, complete with an eccentric landlady named Lillian (Carol Kane) and a larger-than-life roommate named Titus (Tituss Burgess), who's unemployed but has Broadway-size dreams. A lot has changed about the world in the 15 years Kimmy's missed, but she's not about to let that stand in the way of fulfilling her dreams.
Is It Any Good?
Created by the 30 Rock team of Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, this is a quirky––and positively delightful––comedy series. Kemper nails the delivery of the youthfully naïve but inherently philosophical Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, who always winds up helping those around her when she's just trying to figure things out for herself. And speaking of figuring things out, the abundance of conundrums waiting to trip up a Midwest girl who, in many ways, is still stuck in her middle school self yields almost as many laugh-out-loud moments as does the riotous relationship between Kimmy and her upper-crust boss, played skillfully by Krakowski. Kane and Burgess' heated but loving friendship also is a joy to watch.
What's really striking about this fish-out-of-water series is its unpredictability, particularly in the case of the substantial characters. They don't fit neatly into packages, as there's always some factor lying just below the surface ready to spring up and alter your impression of them. They have rich personalities and mutually rewarding relationships, and each illustrates the show's recurring themes of resilience and determination in their own way. As Kimmy doggedly keeps looking on the bright side of life, her cheery outlook will make you a fan.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt depicts coping with adversity. Is Kimmy's response to her predicament believable? To what does she owe her unfailingly sunny disposition? Teens: What challenges have you had to overcome? Are you stronger for the experience?
Are the female characters in this show positive? Could any be considered relatable role models? If so, why?
Have you ever felt out of place in a social setting? Is it difficult to step out of your comfort zone? What can you do to relate to people who are very different from you? How do our life experiences shape us?
How do the characters in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt demonstrate integrity, perseverance, and gratitude? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 6, 2015
- Cast : Jane Krakowski , Ellie Kemper , Tituss Burgess
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Gratitude , Integrity , Perseverance
- TV rating :
- Awards : Emmy - Emmy Award Nominee , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : December 27, 2025
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
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate