Common Sense Media Review
Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Old West in violent brawler.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
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Wynonna Earp
What's the Story?
Back in her hometown following the death of her uncle, WYNONNA EARP doesn't even make it off the bus before she's drawn into the family drama she fled from three years ago. When you're the heir of the late, great Wyatt Earp and your hometown is Purgatory, that drama involves demons, curses, and dead sisters. But Wynonna (Melanie Scrofano) inherits more than just a famous name on her 27th birthday: She becomes the chosen descendent of the Earp clan. As such, she's duty-bound to fight the enemies dispatched by her forebears, known as "revenants" and other monsters and evil-doers. Recruited into a special supernatural division of the U.S. Marshals, Wynonna wields Wyatt's weapon -- an antique "peacemaker" gun -- and is the only person who can send the revenants back to hell.
Is It Any Good?
Kids and teens may not be familiar with the comics the series pulls from, so if they're drawn to this show, it's likely because they're into time-bending sci-fi or snarky, team-based monster hunting. (Think of Wynonna Earp as an Old West version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.) Visually stylish, with great costumes, the show's themes of chosen family -- including supportive gay and lesbian relationships -- also stand out. At first, actors feel wooden in their clichéd roles, and the predictable plot and clunky script do them few favors. But as the series progresses, characters become more complex, and monster-hunting gets more fun. That said, there are much better, more self-aware versions of this kind of "chosen one" story that elevate their anti-heroes; this one is formulaic and dull by comparison. Plus, the level of violence and off-color jokes are tough to justify for a show that's skin-deep.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what makes Wynonna Earp an anti-hero. Who are some other famous anti-heroes in popular culture? Are some traditional heroic attributes more important to have than others?
How did Wynonna's upbringing affect her development? How can witnessing violence as a child lead to a difficult adolescence? What kind of support might be needed to transcend a troubled past?
How are Wyatt Earp's and Doc Holliday's stories emblematic of life in the Old West in the late 19th century? How do their stories differ from others during the same period?
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 1, 2016
- Cast : Melanie Scrofano , Tim Rozon , Dominique Provost-Chalkley , Shamier Anderson
- Network : Syfy
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , History
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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