Popping up on Netflix’s number one spot for TV shows this weekend was the thriller and limited series, Untamed, starring Eric Bana (Troy) and Sam Neill (Jurassic Park). Your preteen or teen may be tempted to click play, so here is a rundown on whether you’ll want to approve the show or not.
Untamed is essentially a murder mystery set in the wilderness of Yosemite National Park (you don’t need to cross the park off your bucket list yet- the story is fictional!). A young, unidentified woman falls off the summit known as El Capitan, and a federal agent, paired with a new park ranger from the city, races the clock to find her cause of death and potential suspects. Amid trying to uncover the truth about Jane Doe’s tragic death, the park investigators uncover secrets that are quite…unhinged.
The six-episode series is certainly binge-worthy, but short enough to make you feel okay with finishing it in one sitting. If it weren’t for the short transition between episodes—just long enough to remind me to unclench my jaw and fists from the suspense—I would’ve felt like I was just watching an intriguing movie.
Explaining the age rating of Untamed
The limited series is officially rated TV-MA (targeting mature audiences) for language and violence. TV-MA is officially the highest TV rating in the US, which always causes some hesitation for parents who need to decide if a show is safe for the older teens in the house. To give you an idea of what we’re comparing Untamed with, other recent shows released on Netflix with the TV-MA rating include:
- Squid Game
- The Sandman
- The Waterfront
- A Madea Homecoming
- Sneaky Links
- Animal Kingdom
These shows vary greatly in appropriateness for teens, even though they have the same rating. To give some perspective from a mom’s point of view, Untamed is certainly not on the same level of horror and gore as Squid Games, but not as feel-good and family-oriented as a Madea movie. Here’s a closer look at the rating:
Sex & Nudity: There is one scene of the entire series where viewers know the characters had sex, but it’s not shown. There is also no nudity. While there are some romantic entanglements in the series, the show is not focused on the love stories. The death and investigation of Jane Doe keep the main characters pretty occupied instead.
Violence: Since violence is one of the reasons behind the TV-MA rating, you can expect to see a fair amount. There are scenes involving gun violence, flesh wounds, a bear scare, domestic violence, and illusions to the sexual abuse and murder of a child. A few characters also struggle with suicidal thoughts and attempts, which is something parents might want to look out for.
Language: The language earns the TV-MA rating, ranging from the d-word to a few f-words and b-words. A lot of the characters simply don’t get along, which plays a large part in the use of profanity.
Drinking & Drugs: The series also earns its rating in the area of substances. The main character struggles with alcoholism, which is his way of coping with the grief of losing his son. Part of the subplot also involves a drug ring, so you will see drugs like marijuana, pills mixed with meth, and other drugs. There is a clearly negative association between drugs and users in the show, so the substances shown would not encourage teen viewers to engage in drugs in anyway.
You may have already guessed it by now, but Untamed is rightfully rated TV-MA, making it best for adults, or possibly your oldest teens to watch. Some fifteen- or sixteen-year-olds may also be okay watching this series, but use parent discretion to determine if the subject matter is appropriate for their level of maturity.