
Weird City
By Joyce Slaton,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Teens will like this funny (but not silly) sci-fi fantasy.
Add your rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Weird City
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
In the WEIRD CITY of the future, a literal line has been drawn between the wealthy people Above the Line and the poor struggling folks Below the Line. On each side, characters struggle with the expectations placed on them by their society, as well as with the technology that's supposed to be serving their needs. Each episode zooms in on a different individual's life in the city, and at least one thing's immediately clear -- there are plenty of problems both Above and Below.
Is It Any Good?
Almost like a comic Black Mirror, this lighthearted series has plenty to say about the way we live today, but it's so much fun to watch that heavy messages land lightly. The team of co-creators behind Weird City (including Jordan Peele) have fashioned a thrillingly meaty setting that looks incredible -- the haves/have-nots conflict that's central to the show is immediately clear in the show's first shots, with Above the Line resembling a glittering neon-lit metropolis, Below the Line a browned-out dilapidated slum. It's a perfect device for injecting class conflict into what's basically a satirical science fiction fantasy.
Of course, like all anthologies, some episodes are better than others. The series gets off to an incredibly strong start with "The One," with a whimsical May-December romance between Ed O'Neill and Dylan O'Brien that nimbly mocks, among other things, computer algorithms, online dating, psychology, and the state's interest in marriage and procreation. Next entry "A Family," surely one of Michael Cera's strangest roles, is harder to connect with and offers more in terms of spectacle and oddness than relatable emotions. But there's so much talent working behind the camera (with beloved directors like Amy Heckerling and Fargo's Adam Bernstein) and in front of it (quirky guest stars include LeVar Burton, Sara Gilbert, and Awkwafina), viewers who appreciate a good future dystopia tale should be all in.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about some of the themes featured in Weird City. What are these stories saying about the way our society uses technology like smart phones, and people's fascination with social media? Do you think the show's dark, satirical style helps make these points? Or does it detract from them?
The episodes are all different, but many center on common themes, such as selfish people finally getting what they deserve, or the unexpected rewards of doing the right thing. Did the characters merit their punishments? Why or why not? What might you have done in a similar situation? What point is the show trying to make? Are the messages similar to those you have seen in other science fiction anthologies? Or different?
How does Weird City inspire curiosity? Why is this an important character strength?
TV Details
- Premiere date: February 14, 2019
- Cast: Rosario Dawson , Ed O'Neill , Sara Gilbert , Mark Hamill , Michael Cera , Awkwafina , Laverne Cox
- Network: YouTube
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Character Strengths: Curiosity
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: July 1, 2022
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
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
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