Parents' Guide to Whiskey on the Rocks

TV Hulu Comedy 2025
Whiskey on the Rocks TV show poster: in bold yellow font over three middle aged men with flags from Sweden, USA and Russia in front of them

Common Sense Media Review

Megan Andersen By Megan Andersen , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

Cold War drama, drunkenness in satirical Swedish series.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

WHISKEY ON THE ROCKS is about a submarine full of Soviet sailors who have been "celebrating" (drinking heavily in honor of) the birth of someone's first daughter while they travel back home on an otherwise peaceful mission. They botch navigation, and the sub careens into a Swedish shoreline uncomfortably close to a military base. Swedish fishermen notice the sub and alert the prime minister and the press, and a false assumption of attack sets off a series of events that involve Sweden, the United States, and the Soviet Union.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

Fans of satire and historical fiction will love this well-written, comically acted series set in the 1980s. The gentle nature of the Swedes who seem to bumble their way apologetically through each scene is in striking contrast to the Russians and Americans, who throw their weight around and almost bark when they speak. Parents of teens, watch this with your kids if you want an opportunity to discuss history while you all speed-read subtitles together.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about stereotypes. In Whiskey on the Rocks, Swedes are portrayed as gentle and level-headed while Russians and Americans are portrayed as either drunk or quick to provoke. How do you think stereotypes typically get started, and are there any groups of people that you or your family stereotype? Why do you think that is?

  • Families can talk about the Cold War and what was happening between the United States and the Soviet Union. Are there any similarities in politics now that reflect that time in history?

  • In this show, the submarine runs aground in Sweden because the entire crew is drinking too heavily in celebration of a crew member's new baby. Have there been any consequences that befell you or your family because someone was impaired, distracted, or under the influence? How was that situation handled?

TV Details

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Whiskey on the Rocks TV show poster: in bold yellow font over three middle aged men with flags from Sweden, USA and Russia in front of them

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