90210 – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

90210

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2008

28%

WISE Score

6.2

IMDb

A 2008 Beverly Hills teen soap drowning in sexual drama, substance abuse, and melodrama—basically a time capsule of CW excess.

6.2/10

→

90210

show

TV-14, 2008

28%

WISE Score

6.2

IMDb

A 2008 Beverly Hills teen soap drowning in sexual drama, substance abuse, and melodrama—basically a time capsule of CW excess.

6.2

Jump to

Also rated on

6.2/10

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

Look, this show is a relic. In 2008, CW teen soaps were everywhere, and 90210 rode that wave with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. Sex, drugs, and melodrama in every episode, wrapped in a shiny Beverly Hills package.

The problem isn't just the mature content—it's that the show treats serious issues like assault, addiction, and teen pregnancy as plot devices rather than meaningful stories. The Metacritic score of 47 and IMDb's 6.2 tell you what you need to know: critics saw through it, and even fans were lukewarm.

If your 14-year-old is begging to watch, fine—but you're sitting next to them, remote in hand, ready to pause and talk. Otherwise, there are dozens of better teen shows (Sex Education, Heartstopper, even Euphoria for older teens who can handle it) that tackle similar themes with actual nuance. This one's a hard pass unless you're feeling nostalgic for 2008 or need a case study in what not to do.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media recommends 14+ and that feels right—younger teens will be overwhelmed by the sexual content and violence. Even at 14, this requires co-viewing and active conversation. Honestly, there are better teen dramas that tackle similar themes with more depth and less exploitation.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This 2008 reboot leans heavily into soap-opera drama with sex as a central topic in nearly every episode. The show features frequent sexual dialogue, implied sexual encounters (including oral sex), routine use of slurs like 'slut' and 'whore,' teen pregnancy storylines, and substance abuse. While there are occasional moments of friendship and loyalty, they're buried under layers of romantic entanglements and manufactured conflict. The emotional tone skews toward melodrama rather than genuine character growth.

Imaginative

The show follows a predictable teen-soap formula with little originality—privileged kids in Beverly Hills navigate relationships and drama. It doesn't invite creative thinking, exploration, or problem-solving. The premise of Kansas transplants adjusting to wealthy LA life had potential but gets lost in repetitive romantic triangles and status-quo conflicts. The show is more about consuming drama than sparking imagination.

Safe

Multiple safety concerns for younger viewers. IMDb's parental guide flags 'moderate' violence including fights, knife threats, and a teacher-rape storyline. Sexual content is pervasive and explicit in dialogue if not visuals. Characters regularly drink and use drugs. The TV-PG rating feels generous given the mature themes. Common Sense Media recommends 14+ specifically because younger teens would find the content confusing or unsettling. This isn't a show where a parent can walk away and trust what's on screen.

Enriching

The show occasionally touches on class dynamics, family relationships, and consequences of risky behavior, but these themes are surface-level at best. It could serve as a conversation starter about peer pressure, consent, and healthy relationships—but only if parents co-watch and actively guide discussion. Otherwise, it's mostly escapist drama with minimal takeaways. The portrayal of wealth and privilege is rarely examined critically. Entertainment value exists for the target demographic, but it's empty calories.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Could spark conversations about peer pressure, consent, and consequences if you co-watch with your teen
Explores class dynamics between Kansas transplants and wealthy LA kids (though superficially)
Some moments of family loyalty and friendship buried under the drama
Nostalgic peek at late-2000s teen culture for parents who lived through it

⚠

What to Watch For

Sex is discussed or implied in almost every episode—oral sex references, frequent use of 'slut' and 'whore,' teen pregnancy plots
Moderate violence including fights, knife threats, and a disturbing teacher-rape storyline
Regular drinking and drug use portrayed among teens
Melodramatic tone that prioritizes shock value over substance
The show has aged poorly—2008 teen soap conventions feel dated and overwrought in 2025

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the characters use words like 'slut' to hurt each other? What does that say about how they view relationships?"
"How do Annie and Dixon's values from Kansas clash with Beverly Hills culture? Do you think money changes how people treat each other?"
"When characters make impulsive decisions about sex or substances, what are the actual consequences shown versus what gets glossed over?"
"Do any of the friendships feel real to you, or is everyone just using each other for drama?"

Stills

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Writing about 90210? Put this WISE score on your site