When They See Us

TV review by Martin Brown, Common Sense Media
When They See Us Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

Solid dramatic account of 1990s wrongful conviction trial.

Netflix Drama 2019
Rate TV

Parents say

age 14+

Based on 7 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 6 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate tv

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.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

Stands out for .

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that When They See Us is a dramatization of the Central Park Five case, in which five teenagers were wrongly convicted of the violent rape of a 28-year-old woman. The 1990 trial was widely publicized at the time and has become an example of institutional racism within the police and the American justice system. This miniseries, created by Selma filmmaker Ava DuVernay, focuses on a large cross-section of people involved with the case, from the teens and their parents to the police and prosecutors. Violence includes a teen being beaten by a police officer, but the central crime isn't shown on-screen. The complex subject matter makes this brutal but often powerful series most appropriate for older teens and adults.

Community Reviews

luispavon
luispavon Adult
December 16, 2020
age 16+

Way to much violence for kids

Really good miniseries but very strong violence in prison

This title has:

Too much violence
Lahughes124
Lahughes124 Adult
August 7, 2019
age 15+

Intense adult themes

Lots of language, intense scenes of boy's repeatedly accused of rape and assault.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
See all 7 parent reviews

What's the Story?

WHEN THEY SEE US begins on a spring night as a large group of kids from Harlem go walking through Central Park. Some are just hanging out, while others are harassing bicyclists and getting into fights until the police come and make a handful of forceful arrests. The next morning, the police discover that the violent rape of a 28-year-old woman has also taken place in Central Park, and suspect the teens. They zero in on five kids, using illegal and manipulative tactics to force confessions from them. This is a dramatic account of the aftermath of this real-life New York City crime that shook the country. Prosecutor Linda Fairstein (Felicity Huffman) states her case against the Five during courtroom proceedings, while the teens' parents are portrayed by actors including Niecy Nash and John Leguizamo.

Is It Any Good?

While it addresses an important subject and problematic piece of recent American history, this ambitious miniseries often depicts the complex idea of institutional racism in generalities and broad strokes. Despite being 30 years old, the Central Park Five case is still relevant, both in that it represents a clear case of racism in the American legal system, and because of Donald Trump's continued engagement with the case (he has called for the execution of the Central Park Five even after they were completely exonerated).

When They See Us seems to portray the NYPD as uniformly corrupt and racist: There's not a single voice of dissent among the officers, which, while dramatic, seems unlikely. On the other side, the Central Park Five all have nearly identical story arcs. More nuance would have brought such a complex and important subject the full gravity it deserves.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the justice system works. When a crime is committed, how do the police in When They See Us respond? How does this compare with your interactions with the police? How does it compare with other depictions of police on television?

  • Who behaves ethically in this series? Why do you think the boys were targeted?

TV Details

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