TL;DR: 56 Days is a high-octane, erotic thriller on Prime Video that is absolutely not for kids. Despite starring Disney and Nickelodeon royalty, this is a hard 18+ series featuring explicit sexual content, gruesome violence (think: decomposing bodies in acid), and toxic relationship dynamics. If your teen is asking about it, it's likely because of the lead actors, but this one needs to stay on the "grown-ups only" list.
Ask our chatbot for age-appropriate thriller recommendations
Screenwise Parents
See allReleased in February 2026, 56 Days is an eight-episode limited series based on the bestselling novel by Catherine Ryan Howard. The story follows Ciara (Dove Cameron) and Oliver (Avan Jogia), two strangers who meet in a supermarket and fall into an intense, whirlwind romance.
The hook? The show uses a dual timeline. In the "present," detectives are investigating a luxury apartment where they’ve found a body so badly decomposed in a bathtub that it’s unrecognizable. The "past" timeline counts down the 56 days leading up to that discovery, showing how a "meet-cute" spiraled into a nightmare of secrets, obsession, and murder.
While the original book was famously set during the COVID-19 lockdown in Dublin, the Prime Video adaptation has shifted the setting to Boston and largely stripped away the pandemic backdrop to focus on the "erotic thriller" elements.
If you’re wondering why your 14-year-old even knows this show exists, look no further than the cast.
- The Disney/Nick Connection: For many parents, Dove Cameron is still the bubbly blonde from Liv and Maddie or Mal from Descendants. Similarly, Avan Jogia is a nostalgic favorite from the Nickelodeon hit Victorious.
- The "Dark Transition": There is a massive cultural fascination with former child stars "growing up" and taking on edgy roles. Think Miley Cyrus or Zendaya. Teens who grew up with these actors are often the first to tune in when they pivot to mature content.
- TikTok Viral Potential: Dove Cameron’s music career (including her massive hit "Boyfriend") has made her a Gen Z icon. Clips of her in a "dark, mysterious" role are tailor-made for TikTok edits and "stan" culture.
Learn more about why teens follow former child stars into adult content
Let’s be blunt: 56 Days isn't just "mature"—it’s intentionally provocative. Here is the breakdown of why this is a hard "no" for younger audiences:
Sexual Content & Nudity
The show is marketed as an erotic thriller. It features multiple, prolonged sex scenes that are far more explicit than your standard network drama. There is frequent nudity, and the show uses intimacy as a primary tool for "edge" and shock value. Unlike a show like Euphoria, which uses these themes for social commentary, 56 Days uses them for suspense and "steamy" marketing.
Violence & Gore
The series opens with a gruesome shot of a decomposing body in a bathtub. We’re talking bone fragments, dissolving skin, and the use of chemicals to hide a crime. It is visually jarring and potentially traumatizing for younger viewers. The psychological violence—gaslighting, manipulation, and stalking—is equally heavy.
Toxic Themes
The core of the show is a "toxic romance." The characters are not role models; they are con-artists, liars, and potentially murderers. While adults can usually distinguish between "entertainment" and "reality," younger teens may struggle with the romanticization of obsession and "dark" love.
Ages 0-14: Strictly prohibited. There is no version of this show that is appropriate for this age group. If they want a mystery, try The Mysterious Benedict Society or the Nancy Drew series instead.
Ages 15-17: Not recommended. Even for "mature" older teens, the level of graphic nudity and the gruesome nature of the murder mystery make this a tough sell. If they are dead-set on watching it because of Dove Cameron, this is a great time to have a conversation about "adult" media and why certain things are rated 18+.
Ages 18+: Viewer discretion. This is the intended audience. If you enjoy shows like You (Netflix) or movies like Gone Girl, you’ll find it bingeable, even if the writing is occasionally a bit "silly" or over-the-top.
Check out our guide on how to talk to teens about R-rated content
If your kid is looking for that "whodunit" thrill or a "dark academic" vibe without the explicit 18+ content, there are much better options that won't leave you feeling like you need to scrub your brain:
This is the gold standard for teen mystery. It uses multiple timelines (just like 56 Days) to tell the story of a girl who goes missing and the girl who seemingly "takes over" her life. It’s twisty, addictive, and handles mature themes with far more grace.
Based on the popular YA novel, this is "The Breakfast Club meets a murder mystery." It’s perfect for the 14-17 age range. It has the drama and the secrets without the graphic nudity.
A more recent hit that captures the "detective" vibe perfectly. It’s smart, suspenseful, and keeps the stakes high without needing to be "steamy."
If they want a Prime Video original that feels "intense" and "adult" but is actually written for a teen/young adult audience, this survival thriller is a much better pick.
If your teen brings up 56 Days, don't just shut it down with a "because I said so." Try a conversation like this:
- "I know you like Dove Cameron, and it’s cool to see her doing new things. But 56 Days is actually an 'erotic thriller' meant for adults. It’s got some pretty graphic stuff—both the sex and the crime scenes—that is way beyond what you're used to in Descendants."
- "If you're looking for a really good mystery, I heard Cruel Summer is actually better written and has that same 'dual timeline' vibe. Want to check that out instead?"
56 Days is essentially "trashy fun" for adults, but it’s digital brain rot for anyone under 17. The combination of its Disney-adjacent cast and its R-rated content makes it a "parent trap."
Don't let the familiar faces fool you—this is a show about a body rotting in acid and toxic people doing toxic things. Skip it for the family movie night and stick to the best psychological thrillers for teens.
Check your family's Digital Wellness Score to see how you compare to the community