TL;DR: His & Hers is a glossy, high-stakes psychological thriller starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal. Based on the bestselling Alice Feeney book, it’s a "he-said, she-said" mystery involving an estranged couple, a small-town murder, and a whole lot of trauma.
The Verdict for Parents: This is a "watch after the kids are in bed" show. It is strictly Ages 18+ due to graphic violence, heavy themes of sexual assault, and some pretty intense "adults-only" scenes. If you're looking for a mystery to watch with your teens, check out Only Murders in the Building or Knives Out instead.
If your social feed looks anything like mine, you’ve probably seen the trailer for His & Hers pop up between ads for air fryers and "gentle parenting" hacks. It’s got that specific Netflix "prestige thriller" look—lots of moody lighting, rain-soaked Georgia streets, and two lead actors who are far too talented for what is essentially a very high-budget soap opera.
But before you click play while the kids are still scrolling Roblox in the next room, let’s talk about what this show actually is, why your friends are obsessed with it, and why you definitely shouldn't let your 14-year-old watch it just because they liked Tessa Thompson in Thor: Ragnarok.
The series is a six-episode limited event adapted from the 2020 novel His & Hers by Alice Feeney. Feeney is the queen of the "unreliable narrator" trope, and this story leans into that hard.
The plot follows Anna (Tessa Thompson), a news anchor who has seen better days, and Jack (Jon Bernthal), a detective who also happens to be her ex-husband. When a woman is murdered in Anna’s hometown, she heads back to cover the story, and Jack is the lead investigator.
The hook? There are two sides to every story—his and hers—and someone is lying. The show uses a lot of flashbacks and shifting perspectives to keep you guessing, which is great for a weekend binge but can be a bit of a mental workout.
Check out our guide on how to spot "unreliable narrators" in media
Netflix knows exactly what we want in January: a dark, twisty mystery to distract us from the fact that it’s five degrees outside and we’ve already failed our New Year’s resolutions.
- The Star Power: Jon Bernthal (who we loved in The Bear) and Tessa Thompson have incredible chemistry. They make the "troubled exes" dynamic feel way more real than it probably should.
- The "Feeney Factor": Alice Feeney’s books are massive in the "BookTok" world. Her fans are loyal, and they love a twist that makes you want to throw the remote at the TV.
- The Southern Gothic Vibe: They moved the setting from the UK (in the book) to Dahlonega, Georgia. It adds a layer of "sweaty, small-town secrets" that feels very Sharp Objects or True Detective.
Let’s be real: some of these "domestic thrillers" are basically PG-13 movies with a few f-bombs. His & Hers is not that. It is TV-MA for a reason.
The Violence
It’s gorier than your average network procedural. We’re talking multiple stab wounds, throat slashing, and some pretty grisly crime scene imagery. It’s not "slasher movie" level, but it’s definitely not "cozy mystery" level either.
The Themes
This is where it gets heavy for parents. The core of the mystery involves the death of an infant daughter (which is handled with a lot of grief-heavy scenes) and a backstory involving the sexual assault of teenagers. It’s dark stuff. If you’re in a season of life where child loss or sexual violence are "no-go" zones for your entertainment, you might want to sit this one out.
The "Heat"
The show features what I’d call "performative sex"—meaning it’s loud, frequent, and often happens in cars or trucks. It’s used to show the power dynamics between characters, but it makes the show very much an "adults-only" experience.
Ask our chatbot for a detailed content breakdown of His & Hers
I know your 15-year-old might claim they’ve "seen worse" on TikTok, but His & Hers deals with mature psychological themes that most teens just aren't equipped to process without a lot of context.
- Ages 0-13: Hard no. Between the violence and the complex adult relationship drama, they’ll either be bored or traumatized.
- Ages 14-17: Still a no for me. The themes of grooming and sexual assault are central to the plot, and while some older teens might be able to handle the "mystery" part, the graphic nature of the show makes it a poor choice for family movie night.
- Ages 18+: This is the target audience. If you liked Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train, this is right in your wheelhouse.
If you have a teen who loves a "Whodunit" but you want to avoid the "absurd trash" elements of His & Hers, here are some much better options:
Ages 12+ This is the gold standard for modern mysteries. It’s clever, funny, and has a great cast without being needlessly grim.
Ages 10+ Perfect for younger teens. It’s fast-paced, empowering, and focuses more on the "clues" than the "carnage."
Ages 14+ If you want that "small community with secrets" vibe but with a lot more humor and a lot less trauma, this is the one. It’s on Hulu/Disney+, and it’s a delight.
Ages 14+ Based on the popular YA book series, this Netflix show is basically the teen version of His & Hers. It’s still a bit dark, but it’s much more appropriate for the high school crowd.
If your teen does end up seeing clips of the show or hears about the "jaw-dropping twist" at school, it’s a good opportunity to talk about unreliable narrators and how media uses trauma as a plot device.
You can ask things like:
- "Why do you think stories like this are so popular right now?"
- "Do you think it's fair for a show to use a 'secret' about someone's past as a big entertainment reveal?"
- "How do you tell the difference between a 'smart' mystery and one that's just trying to shock you?"
His & Hers is exactly what it claims to be: a bingeable, slightly trashy, very dark psychological thriller. It’s great for a solo watch or a "date night in" where you just want to see Jon Bernthal look intense in a leather jacket.
But as far as digital wellness goes, this is one to keep on your personal profile, locked behind a PIN if you have curious kids. It’s not "brain rot" in the way some YouTube content is, but it’s definitely "adult rot"—the kind of heavy, cynical storytelling that we enjoy as grown-ups but should probably protect our kids from for a few more years.
Next Steps:
- Check your Netflix profile settings to make sure your kids can't access TV-MA content.
- If you're a fan of the genre, grab the Alice Feeney book first—the ending is even more divisive than the show.
- Take our Screenwise Survey to see how your family’s thriller-watching habits compare to your community!