Overview
If we had to make a short list of some of the most popular teen shows among Gen Z, we’d include shows like Euphoria, Outer Banks, and today’s feature, Riverdale. Tons of teens have gravitated to this show, both for its thrilling storyline and its heart-throb celebrity cast including KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Cole Sprouse, and Camila Mendes.
Given its popularity and propensity for more mature themes, we want to make sure parents have a proper review of Riverdale so they can know if it’s safe for their kids to watch.
Harmful Content ❗️
Some may not know that Riverdale is actually based on the old Archie Comics, a popular American comic series featuring Archie and his three high school friends. The comic book version of these characters is fairly light-hearted and generally appropriate for teens. However, the TV show version adds a much darker twist.
While there are love triangles and high school parties as you’d expect, there are also murders, inappropriate teacher-student sexual relationships, and the presence of a supernatural cult. The characters also deal with the occasional difficult family situation, although they generally seem left to their own devices with no positive parental influences involved.
This show has seven seasons (the seventh season being their final one) and it gets increasingly darker as the seasons progress. So if you watch the first season and feel it’s a little too much or borderline — know that it only gets more intense from there.
Language
As with any teen show nowadays, you can expect some adult language such as “b*tch”, “a**”, and “d*ck”.
Sex
While there’s no explicit sexual content (such as nudity) in Riverdale, sex is discussed frequently and implied. Teens often have sex with each other and there are multiple instances of inappropriate adult-teen sexual relationships. Additionally, characters are sometimes shown in underwear or minimal clothing.
Violence
This is where Riverdale really departs from the Archie Comics — and from other typical teen dramas. The plot features scenes of murder (including serial killer killings), suicide, cult-like rituals including skin carving, and even a subtle implication of necrophilia. Some of these scenes are graphic and bloody. This level of violence is integral to the nature of the show, so families whose values do not align with these themes should likely stay away from Riverdale.
Positive Value 💫
While this show no doubt has an enthralling plotline, that may not be enough to outweigh the harmful content for some families. The teens in the show certainly display that there is significant value in friendship and they prove their loyalty to each other in many instances. However, these lessons can certainly be found in other shows and media without some of the darker elements found here.
So, should my kid watch it?
We’d say this show is appropriate for teens about 16 and up. The themes certainly require a higher level of maturity from viewers. You know your child best, so be sure to consider their maturity level before allowing them to watch Riverdale.
