TV-MA means "Mature Audiences Only"—designed for adults and may be unsuitable for children under 17. Think of it as the TV equivalent of an R rating, though Netflix's rating system can sometimes be less conservative than theatrical ratings.

The Beast in Me earns its TV-MA for:

This isn't action-movie violence where the hero punches bad guys and everyone gets up fine. The show features:

The show's central premise—a protagonist who might be committing violent acts without awareness—creates sustained psychological tension that goes beyond typical thriller fare:

Multiple scenes with:

Pervasive strong language throughout, including F-bombs in nearly every episode. If you're counting, we're talking 30+ per episode in some cases.

Claire Foy's star power: She's recognizable from The Crown, which some teens watched with parents, so there's a perception this might be "prestige TV" that's more acceptable.

The mystery hook: Kids are drawn to puzzle-box narratives and twist endings. The "who's really in control" premise is catnip for teens who love psychological thrillers.

Social currency: It's trending on Netflix, which means it's conversation fodder at lunch tables. FOMO is real.

"It's just a thriller" argument: Your teen might compare it to other mystery shows they've been allowed to watch, but this is significantly more intense than something like Only Murders in the Building or even Wednesday.

Ages 13-15: No. The psychological intensity alone makes this inappropriate for middle schoolers, even mature ones. The violence isn't cartoonish—it's realistic and disturbing. The themes of losing control of your own mind and body are genuinely frightening in ways that can be harder to process at this age.

Ages 16-17: Maybe, with caveats. Some older teens who are comfortable with mature content and have experience processing complex psychological themes might be ready. Consider:

Ages 18+: Their call. At this point, they're adults making their own viewing choices. That said, if they're still living at home and you have concerns about younger siblings seeing it, having a conversation about when/where they watch makes sense.

The mental health portrayal is complex: The show attempts to depict dissociative identity disorder with some nuance, though it leans heavily into thriller tropes. If your teen is interested in psychology, this could spark good conversations—but it's not a documentary, and some liberties are taken for dramatic effect. Learn more about how media portrays mental health conditions.

It's bingeable but intense: Six episodes, each about 50 minutes. The pacing is designed to keep you watching, but the sustained tension and disturbing content means this isn't great for marathon viewing, especially for younger viewers.

The ending is divisive: Without spoilers, some viewers find the conclusion satisfying while others feel manipulated. If your teen watches, they might want to process their reaction—this is the kind of show that benefits from discussion.

Netflix's parental controls can help: You can set up PIN protection for mature content so younger siblings can't accidentally access it, and you can review what's being watched through viewing activity.

If your 13-15 year old is pushing back, here are age-appropriate options that scratch the mystery/thriller itch without the TV-MA content:

For older teens who can handle more intensity but aren't quite ready for The Beast in Me's graphic content, try Mare of Easttown (TV-MA but less graphic) or The Sinner (TV-14/TV-MA depending on season).

If your teen is pushing to watch or has already seen it without permission:

Acknowledge the appeal: "I get why this looks interesting—psychological thrillers can be really compelling, and Claire Foy is an incredible actress."

Be specific about concerns: Don't just say "it's too mature." Explain: "This show has graphic violence and deals with losing control of your own mind in ways that can be really disturbing. I'm not comfortable with you watching that level of intensity right now."

Offer alternatives: Use the list above. Show you're not just saying no—you're saying "not this, but here's what works."

If they've already watched: Don't freak out, but do check in. "What did you think? Were there parts that bothered you?" This opens the door for processing rather than shutting down communication.

Set clear boundaries for next time: If they watched without permission, there need to be consequences, but also clarity about your rating rules going forward. Setting up Netflix profiles with appropriate restrictions can prevent future incidents.

The Beast in Me is legitimately adult content. This isn't pearl-clutching about a few curse words or a kissing scene—it's a psychologically intense thriller with graphic violence and disturbing themes that most teens under 16 aren't ready to process.

The TV-MA rating exists for a reason, and this show uses every bit of that designation. If your teen is 16-17 and you think they can handle it, watching together or being available to debrief is the move. For younger teens, the answer is a clear no, with good alternatives offered.

Your teen will survive not watching this show. There will be other trending Netflix series. And honestly? Some of the adults who've watched it wish they could unsee certain scenes. Trust your instincts on this one.

And if you're wondering whether you should watch it? That's between you and your tolerance for disturbing content. Just maybe not right before bed.