Normal (R)
Age 16+
Wall-to-wall violence with chaos, blood and swearing.
This action-comedy stars Bob Odenkirk (who also co-conceived the story) as an interim sheriff in the small town of Normal, Massachusetts, who stumbles on a secret that puts him and everyone around him in grave danger. Violence can be graphic and intense: Characters are stabbed, run over, fatally shot, obliterated by explosions, bashed by improvised weapons and beheaded. Also expect to see wounds, blood spatters, a severed ear, a nail in the eye, a needle in the neck and a person frozen to death. Moments suggest parental abuse and thoughts of suicide. Language includes frequent uses of “f—,” “motherf—er,” “s—,” “a–hole,” “goddamn,” “son of a b—-,” “Jesus” and “hell.” Characters drink, sometimes to excess. (90 minutes)
Available in theaters.
Margo’s Got Money Troubles (TV-MA)
Age 15+
Sex, swearing and wrestling in endearing comedic drama.
This comedic drama series, based on the same-named book by Rufi Thorpe, follows college student Margo (Elle Fanning) as she struggles to maintain her life, dreams and finances as a single mom. Expect frequent nudity (with sensitive parts showing) and sex scenes with partial nudity. Details of early pregnancy (tests, vaginal ultrasound) are shown, and there’s discussion of abortion and religion. Constant swearing includes “f—,” “b—-,” “f—ed,” “goddammit,” “oh my God,” “a–” and “bulls–t.” The show features lots of wrestling (tossing, shoving, pummeling) and characters being verbally hostile. There are brief brand mentions (Bloomingdale’s, Amazon), and characters drink alcohol. (Eight episodes)
Available on Apple TV.
Pizza Movie (R)
Age 17+
College comedy about drug trip has language and bullying.
This kooky comedy centers on college kids experiencing a hallucinatory drug trip, which they’ve embarked on to escape the physical and emotional harms of bullying. Students do keg stands, take cocaine, smoke from a bong, discuss Jell-O shots, rent a bus, and party until they pass out or vomit (or both). The drug trip involves both real and imagined dangers. Characters urinate, poop, pass out and get in physical fights while drunk or on drugs. Students flirt and kiss passionately, a group of men is seen running naked from behind, and there’s discussion of penis foreskins and condoms. Language includes swearing (“f—,” “s—,” “goddammit,” “hell,” “b—-,” “a–hole,” “c—”) and insults (“cuck,” “perv,” “Hitler”) throughout, as well as profane terms for body parts and discussion of bodily fluids. Amid the over-the-top content is the message that it’s important to treat your friends well and appreciate your relationships. (97 minutes)
Available on Hulu.
Little Margo Stories
Age 2+
Short, sweet vignettes about nature’s wonders.
These animated shorts — originally a popular YouTube Series — follow an adorable little mole’s adventures. There’s no iffy content, and the shorts are suitable for even the youngest viewers. Parents should note that because the stories are so short (1-3 minutes each) and there’s no dialogue, “Little Margo Stories” is more entertaining than educational. (10 episodes)
Available on Disney+.
Common Sense Media helps families make smart media choices. Go to commonsense.org for age-based and educational ratings and reviews for movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites and books.
The post What parents need to know about ‘Normal,’ ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ and more appeared first on Washington Post.
