We Own This City
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
We Own This City
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 suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
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 We Own This City is a drama detailing the fallout within the Baltimore police department as the organization's corruption comes to light after Freddie Gray's murder. There are scenes of police brutality and profuse swearing, as well as alcohol consumption and descriptions of drug use and overdose. The sexual content includes scenes within a gentlemen's club and sexual jokes.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
WE OWN THIS CITY is a nuanced look at Baltimore in 2015, after the death of Freddie Gray at the hands of police. The story revolves around Wayne Jenkins (Jon Bernthal), a high-ranking officer who's charged with corruption. Other cases of corruption within the Baltimore police department emerge, from drug peddling to overt use of force against minorities.
Is It Any Good?
If the worst thing we could say about this show is that it's like another season of The Wire, that's not too bad. We Own This City claims to show a more recent Baltimore, but the series seems more like a retread of the themes covered in The Wire than something wholly original. Of course, there will be immediate comparisons to The Wire since David Simon is the creator and executive producer of both series. And perhaps, the fact that We Own This City is so similar to its predecessor is an indictment of Baltimore itself--suggesting that the city hasn't changed enough since The Wire's 2008 finale.
Regardless, We Own This City doesn't differentiate itself enough from The Wire to make it feel like appointment viewing, but it does have The Wire's nuanced, journalistic-style writing, humanistic portrayals of characters (especially its Black characters on both sides of the "thin blue line"), and an urge to showcase Baltimore as a city struggling to embrace is positives and find itself. Fans of The Wire should find plenty to appreciate in We Own This City, as long as they aren't seeking something wholly new.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how policing is shown in We Own This City. How does the series showcase the pros and cons of policing?
How does the Freddie Gray case play an important role in We Own This City?
What practices made teams within the Baltimore police department corrupt?
How did civil rights lawyers help change the Baltimore police department?
What does the series say about police brutality? How does poor policing affect everyday citizens of color?
TV Details
- Premiere date: April 25, 2022
- Cast: Jon Bernthal, Wunmi Mosaku, Rob Brown, McKinley Belcher III
- Network: HBO Max
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Compassion, Self-control
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: March 30, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
The Wire
Realistic drama about urban crime is not for kids.
-
Law & Order
Dead bodies + courtroom drama = mature teens only.
-
The Shield
Thoughtful, mature cop show...with lots of blood.
-
NYPD Blue
Rich police drama with strong characters. No kids.
For kids who love drama
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