Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Edgy, dark action comedy has heartwarming themes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
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Wayne
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 12 kid reviews
Kids say that while the show is acclaimed for its engaging plot and character development, it is heavily laden with graphic violence, strong language, and adult themes that make it unsuitable for younger viewers. Many recommend it for mature teens who can handle its aggressive content and appreciate its unique narrative style.
- mature content
- graphic violence
- strong language
- character development
- recommend for teens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
WAYNE is the story of a hard-luck teen (Mark McKenna) who sets out on a motorcycle with his new friend, Del (Ciara Bravo), after his father's death to reclaim a car his dad said was stolen from him years ago. With all they own in their backpacks and burning bridges as they go from Massachusetts to Florida, Wayne and Del find themselves in unusual circumstances just about everywhere they stop, but even more unexpected are the instances of kindness they also experience. Meanwhile, they're hunted by Del's father (Dean Winters), the local police, and a smattering of other people with axes to grind with the rebellious teens.
Is It Any Good?
This gritty, darkly comedic series earns its mature rating for sure, but it's also oddly heartwarming in parts and a testament (albeit an edgy one) to the resilience of the human spirit. Wayne's life is a series of hard knocks and disappointments, from trouble at school to an absentee mother to a father dying of cancer it's hinted was caused by his job. The final straw is a deathbed confession about a 1978 Pontiac Trans Am that would have been the only thing Wayne inherited from his dad. Suddenly this mature-beyond-his-years 16-year-old finds a purpose and partner just as desperate to escape her own life.
Wayne is not for the faint of heart when it comes to harsh language (especially from teens) or violence (this stuff is graphic, people), but surprisingly, that's not what sticks with you after an episode ends. Instead it's Wayne's dogged determination and Del's slow softening to his somewhat bizarre but commendable moral code, and how the two inspire each other to be better people in a world that seems intent on not cutting them a break. If you can overlook the general illegality of nearly their every move, this oddly endearing series will win you over.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Wayne and Del are good role models. What positive character strengths do you see in each of them? Do these qualities compensate for their negative ones? To what degree have their respective environments influenced who they've become?
Is breaking the law ever justified? Would you say that is the case in any of what Wayne and Del do on their quest? How do you decide between the rule of law and your own moral conviction when the two conflict?
Does this show's mature content add something worthwhile to the plot? Would the story be as engaging without the violence or the strong language? Is the story appropriate for a younger audience save for that kind of content? What, if anything, could it teach teens?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 16, 2019
- Cast : Ciara Bravo , Mark McKenna , Dean Winters
- Network : YouTube Premium
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Adventures
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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