Common Sense Media Review
By Marty Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Messy history drama features violence, religious extremism.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Waco: The Aftermath
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
WACO: THE AFTERMATH takes place in the months after the FBI raided the compound of David Koresh and his Branch Davidian followers. As the five survivors of the FBI raid begin their trial for conspiracy, a hostage negotiator (Michael Shannon) investigates fringe groups who may be inspired to violence by Koresh's story.
Is It Any Good?
Historical drama is tricky to pull off, and depicting events that are relatively fresh in the minds of some viewers can make things even more complicated. Waco: The Aftermath tries to solve the problem of making familiar events seem new and exciting by telling its story in a non-linear way. In fact, "Aftermath" is a bit of a misnomer, as the series jumps between the trial of the Branch Davidians and flashbacks to their origin stories. Unfortunately it not only avoids the most dramatic part of the story, the Waco massacre, altogether, but it also withholds information to make the Branch Davidians more sympathetic than they might have been in real life. The result is a messy series that seems to rewrite history for dramatic effect without ever achieving the compelling drama to which it aspires.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Waco. How familiar were you with the story of David Koresh and the Waco siege before watching this show? What inspired you to watch it? How did it help you understand that event or that period in time?
Why is this story being told in 2023? How can it help us understand contemporary culture? How might our current perspective influence the way we understand the Waco siege 30 years later? What have we learned, if anything?
How does the show depict the FBI? How does it depict the Branch Davidians? Do you think it intends for you to root for either side? Why or why not? What do you think the series is saying about the characters involved in the Waco siege?
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 16, 2023
- Cast : Michael Shannon , Giovanni Ribisi , Abbey Lee
- Network : Showtime
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : History
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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