TL;DR: If you’re expecting the bubbly, 90s-era Sabrina the Teenage Witch starring Melissa Joan Hart and a puppet cat, you’re in for a massive shock. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (often called CAOS) is a dark, atmospheric, and often gruesome horror series. It’s best suited for older teens (15+) who can handle occult imagery, graphic violence, and complex themes about power and autonomy.
Quick Links for Context:
- The Vibe: Similar to Riverdale but with actual demons.
- The Lead: Kiernan Shipka, who many of us remember as Sally Draper in Mad Men.
- The Competition: If they liked Wednesday or Stranger Things, they’ve probably already asked to watch this.
Released on Netflix starting in 2018, this show is a "reimagining" of the Archie Comics character Sabrina Spellman. But instead of focusing on high school high-jinks and a talking cat who cracks dad jokes, this version leans heavily into the "Chilling" part of the title.
The story follows Sabrina Spellman (Kiernan Shipka), a half-witch, half-mortal teenager living in the town of Greendale. On her 16th birthday, she’s expected to undergo her "Dark Baptism," where she signs her name in the Book of the Beast and pledges her soul to the Dark Lord (yes, Satan). Sabrina, being a headstrong modern teen, isn't exactly thrilled about giving up her freedom or her mortal friends.
What follows is four "parts" (seasons) of occult warfare, high school drama, and a surprisingly deep dive into the internal politics of a literal coven of witches. It is high-budget, beautifully shot, and extremely well-acted, but it is absolutely not for younger kids.
There’s a specific "aesthetic" that CAOS nailed, which made it a massive hit on TikTok and Instagram. It’s that "cozy but creepy" fall vibe—think pumpkins, red coats, dark woods, and old libraries.
- Kiernan Shipka’s Sabrina: She isn't a passive protagonist. She’s rebellious, smart, and constantly questioning the "old men" who run her world (both in the witch world and the human one). This resonates deeply with Gen Z.
- The "Spooky" Factor: For teens who have outgrown Hocus Pocus but aren't quite ready for the extreme nihilism of American Horror Story, CAOS sits in a perfect middle ground.
- The Romance: Like any Netflix teen drama, the love triangles are a major draw. Whether it’s her mortal boyfriend Harvey or the warlock Nicholas Scratch, the "ship" wars are a big part of the fandom.
Let’s be real: this show is a lot. If you have a low tolerance for religious subversion or graphic imagery, this might be a "skip" for your household.
The Occult Imagery
The show uses "The Church of Night" as its primary setting. They pray to the "Dark Lord," they say "Praise Satan" instead of "Praise God," and the iconography is very much based on Baphomet and traditional Satanic imagery. For the creators, this is largely a metaphor for a patriarchal, oppressive system that Sabrina is trying to dismantle. However, for many families, the literal presentation of devil worship—even in a fictional, campy context—is a dealbreaker.
The Gore and Horror
This isn't "jump scare" horror; it’s "body horror." We’re talking about cannibalism (yes, really), ritual sacrifice, demons with terrifying faces, and plenty of blood. In one episode, characters are literally resurrected from a "Cain Pit" in the backyard. It gets weird, and it gets graphic.
Sexual Themes
Being a teen drama in the post-Euphoria era (though not quite that intense), there is a fair amount of sexual content. There are scenes involving "orgies" (mostly implied or stylized), teen hookups, and a lot of suggestive dialogue. It’s definitely more mature than Twilight.
Ask our chatbot about age-appropriate alternatives for your 13-year-old
The show is rated TV-14, but in my opinion, that’s a "soft" 14.
- Ages 0-12: Hard no. It’s too scary, too complex, and the themes of ritualistic violence are not appropriate for this age group. If they want witches, try The Worst Witch or Harry Potter.
- Ages 13-14: Use caution. This depends heavily on your kid’s maturity. If they’ve handled Stranger Things without nightmares, they might be okay, but be prepared to discuss the religious themes.
- Ages 15+: This is the target demographic. At this age, most teens can distinguish between the stylized "Hollywood Satanism" of the show and reality.
If your teen is already watching Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, it actually opens the door for some pretty interesting conversations. This isn't just "brain rot" content; there’s some meat on the bones here.
- On Power and Consent: Sabrina is constantly being told what to do with her body and her soul by older authority figures (The High Priest, her Aunts, the Dark Lord). You can ask your teen: "Why do you think Sabrina is so resistant to signing the Book of the Beast? What does that represent for her?"
- On Tradition vs. Morality: The witches in the show often do terrible things because "it’s tradition." This is a great jumping-off point for talking about why we question the status quo in real life.
- On Horror as a Genre: Talk about how the show uses lighting, music, and costume design to create a mood. It’s a great way to build media literacy.
Check out our guide on talking to teens about dark media themes
If the trailer for CAOS made you want to clutch your pearls (no judgment, it's intense!), here are some other options that scratch that supernatural itch without the cannibalism:
It’s got the "outcast at a magic school" vibe and the dark aesthetic, but it’s much more of a mystery-comedy than a horror-drama. It’s significantly "cleaner" regarding occult rituals.
For the younger set (8-12), this is a fantastic show about girls finding a magical cookbook. It has stakes and a bit of mystery, but it’s very family-friendly.
If you want to go "90s Retro," this is the quintessential teen witch movie. It’s dark and has some scares, but it feels a bit more grounded than the cosmic horror of Sabrina.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a well-made, binge-worthy show that happens to be very dark. Kiernan Shipka is fantastic as a modern, feminist Sabrina, but the show’s reliance on Satanic imagery and gore makes it a polarizing choice for families.
Don't let the "Archie Comics" brand fool you—this isn't a comic strip. It’s a full-on horror show. If your teen is 15 and loves the genre, they’ll probably find it empowering and stylish. If your 11-year-old wants to watch because they saw a clip of the cat on TikTok, you might want to redirect them to Minecraft or a re-watch of The Owl House.
- Watch the first 10 minutes: The "Dark Baptism" happens early. If that scene makes you uncomfortable, the rest of the show will too.
- Check the Wise Score: Head over to our media page for CAOS to see how other parents in the Screenwise community are rating it.
- Talk to your teen: Ask them why they’re interested in it. Is it the fashion? The horror? The actors? Their answer will tell you a lot about whether they're ready for it.