The Leftovers is quite possibly the best television show you will ever see, but it is absolutely not for your kids. It’s a TV-MA masterpiece that tackles the absolute limits of human grief, faith, and nihilism, and it does so with a level of intensity that makes most "prestige" dramas look like sitcoms. If you’re looking for a family watch, this isn't it—keep this one for your solo "the kids are finally asleep" rotation.
TL;DR
The Leftovers is a heavy, gorgeous, and frequently brutal meditation on what happens when 2% of the world’s population vanishes without explanation. While it’s essential viewing for adults who love high-concept drama, the combination of cult-related violence, graphic nudity, and pervasive existential dread makes it a poor fit for anyone under 17. If you want the "mystery box" vibe with a more family-friendly edge, try Lost or The Good Place instead.
The premise is simple: One day, 140 million people just disappear. No flash of light, no "Left Behind" rapture logic—just gone. The show picks up three years later, focusing on the people who didn’t leave. It’s not a sci-fi mystery about where they went; it’s a character study about how the people left behind lose their minds, find new religions, or desperately try to pretend things are normal. It’s brilliant, frustrating, and emotionally exhausting in the best way possible.
Most shows about a "global event" focus on the event itself. The Leftovers focuses on the wreckage. This isn't just about sadness; it’s about the kind of grief that turns into madness.
The Guilty Remnant: A Different Kind of Villain
Early on, the show introduces a cult called the Guilty Remnant. They wear all white, they don't speak, and they chain-smoke because they believe the world ended the day of the Departure and that "living" is an insult to the truth. They don't use guns; they use psychological warfare. They are deeply unsettling, and their presence creates a constant low-level hum of anxiety throughout the first season. For a younger viewer, this isn't "scary" like a monster; it’s disturbing in a way that’s much harder to shake.
The Nihilism Factor
There is a persistent sense that nothing matters. Characters struggle with suicide, self-harm, and the total collapse of their belief systems. While the show eventually finds a weird, beautiful kind of hope, the road there is paved with characters who are profoundly broken. If your teenager is already prone to doom-scrolling or existential angst, this show is like pouring gasoline on that fire.
Because this is HBO, the "standard" warnings apply, but The Leftovers uses them differently than something like Game of Thrones.
- Violence: It’s infrequent but shocking. When violence happens, it’s visceral—a stoning in the woods, a sudden shooting, a character being beaten. It’s never "cool" action; it’s always tragic and messy.
- Nudity and Sex: There is full-frontal nudity (both male and female) and several graphic sex scenes. Unlike other shows that use nudity for "flavor," here it’s often used to show vulnerability or desperation. It’s awkward, adult, and very much not for a family living room.
- Language: It’s a "fuck"-heavy script. Every character talks like a real person under extreme duress, which means the profanity is constant and un-filtered.
If you have a 17- or 18-year-old who is a genuine cinephile and wants to discuss the philosophy of Albert Camus or the nature of faith, The Leftovers is an incredible talking point. It’s a show that demands to be discussed. However, for anyone younger, the themes will likely fly over their heads, leaving them with nothing but a series of depressing images and confusing plot points.
This is "graduate level" television. It rewards patience and an understanding of the human condition that most middle-schoolers (and many high-schoolers) just haven't developed yet.
If your older teen has already started the show, don't just check for "scary parts." Talk about the why.
- Ask about the cults: "Why do you think the Guilty Remnant wants people to remember the Departure so badly? Is it about truth or just about being miserable?"
- Discuss the mystery: The show famously never explains where people went. Ask them: "Does it matter where they went, or is the show more interesting because we don't know?"
- The Coping Mechanisms: Everyone in Jarden (Season 2) or Mapleton (Season 1) is "doing" something to get by—hugging a guru, joining a cult, or running a police department. Ask which character’s reaction feels the most "real" to them.
If the "mysterious event" or "high-stakes drama" is what’s drawing them in, there are ways to get that fix without the nihilistic dread of The Leftovers.
- For the "Mystery Box" fans: Lost. It’s from the same creator (Damon Lindelof), has a massive ensemble cast, and deals with big questions, but it’s a much more traditional "adventure" show that stays within the TV-14 lane.
- For the "Philosophy through Comedy" fans: The Good Place. It asks the same big questions about the afterlife and what it means to be a "good" person, but it does it with frozen yogurt jokes instead of chain-smoking cultists.
- For the "Post-Apocalyptic Survival" fans: Station Eleven. Also on Max, this show deals with a global collapse but maintains a much more hopeful, art-focused core. It’s still heavy, but it’s less interested in breaking your spirit.
- For the "High-Intensity Drama" fans: The Bear. If they want that feeling of "everyone is stressed and yelling," this hits the spot with a lot more heart and a lot less existential despair.
Q: Is The Leftovers appropriate for a 14-year-old? Generally, no. While a mature 14-year-old might handle the plot, the graphic nudity, cult-related violence, and heavy themes of suicide and grief make it a very tough watch. It’s designed for an adult emotional palette.
Q: Does The Leftovers have a lot of jump scares? No, it’s not a horror show in the traditional sense. The "scares" are psychological and atmospheric. It’s about dread and discomfort, not monsters jumping out of closets.
Q: Is there a lot of swearing in The Leftovers? Yes. It is an HBO drama, so expect "R-rated" language in almost every episode. It isn't used for shock value, but it is pervasive.
Q: Does the show ever explain the mystery? Without spoilers: No. The creator has been very open about the fact that the show is about the reaction to the event, not the science of the event itself. If your kid needs concrete answers to enjoy a show, they will find this incredibly frustrating.
The Leftovers is a 10/10 television experience that you should absolutely watch—just not with your kids. It’s a solo journey into the heart of what it means to be human and broken. For the kids, stick to our best shows for kids list and save the existential crisis for after they go to bed.
- Check out our digital guide for high schoolers for more age-appropriate prestige TV.
- Explore the best movies for kids for your next family night.
- Ask our chatbot for a custom recommendation
based on what your family usually likes.