Criminal – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Criminal

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

podcast

28%

WISE Score

Thoughtful true crime for adults who like their moral clarity murky and their stories complex—not for family car rides.

Criminal

podcast

Clean

28%

WISE Score

Thoughtful true crime for adults who like their moral clarity murky and their stories complex—not for family car rides.

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Screenwise Verdict

Criminal is genuinely excellent at what it does—thoughtful, well-produced true crime that treats its subjects with nuance and avoids cheap sensationalism. Phoebe Judge's voice is practically ASMR for the ethically curious. The New York Times wasn't wrong to name it a best podcast.

But here's the thing: it's absolutely, unequivocally not for kids. This is adult content through and through. The 'no-holds-barred' approach Common Sense Media mentions isn't hyperbole—you're getting real stories about real violence, real moral failures, real human darkness. And because it's a podcast, the risk is higher: you hit play in the car, and suddenly your 10-year-old is hearing about something they absolutely should not be hearing about.

If you're an adult who likes true crime but is tired of the Nancy Grace-style histrionics, Criminal is fantastic. Just keep your headphones handy and your kids out of earshot.

Age Fit

This is for adults, full stop. The content is too intense, mature, and morally complex for teens, and completely inappropriate for younger kids. If you're looking for 'family-friendly true crime' (which Reddit users occasionally ask about), this isn't it—try specific vetted episodes of other shows instead.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Criminal explores moral complexity and the 'unexpected side of true crime,' often featuring heavy topics like police brutality, abortion, and the drug trade. While Phoebe Judge's calm, measured hosting style prevents sensationalism, the content regularly deals with people in dark circumstances—victims, perpetrators, and those caught between. The tone is thoughtful rather than exploitative, but emotionally, this isn't light listening.

Imaginative

The podcast takes an original approach to true crime by focusing on moral ambiguity and 'people who've done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle.' It invites listeners to think beyond black-and-white narratives and consider the complexity of human behavior and justice. Episodes cover unexpected angles—not just murders, but weird laws, historical oddities, and ethical dilemmas. It's intellectually curious and often surprising.

Safe

Common Sense Media explicitly warns this is 'intense' with 'no-holds-barred exploration' of controversial topics including abortion, drug trade, and police brutality. For a podcast—often played in cars or around the house where kids can overhear—this is problematic. True crime content inherently involves violence, death, and disturbing situations. While not gratuitously graphic, the subject matter is fundamentally adult and inappropriate for children to encounter unexpectedly.

Enriching

Named a Best Podcast of 2023 by the New York Times, Criminal offers substantive exploration of justice, morality, and human nature. It builds critical thinking by presenting stories that resist easy judgment. Listeners gain insight into criminal justice systems, historical context, and ethical complexity. The storytelling is high-quality and thought-provoking. For mature audiences, it's genuinely enriching—but the enrichment comes packaged with heavy content.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Phoebe Judge's calm, measured hosting style avoids the sensationalism that plagues much true crime content
Named Best Podcast of 2023 by NYT—legitimately excellent storytelling that goes beyond typical crime narratives
Explores moral ambiguity and the gray areas of justice, making you think rather than just react
Covers unexpected angles: weird laws, historical oddities, ethical dilemmas—not just murder after murder

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What to Watch For

This is explicitly adult content—Common Sense Media calls it 'intense' with 'no-holds-barred' exploration of violence, police brutality, abortion, and drug trade
True crime means death, violence, and disturbing situations are baked into every episode
Not safe for car listening if kids are around—they will overhear things they shouldn't
Some episodes are more intense than others; there's no consistent content warning system to help you screen

Conversation Starters

"What made that person's decision so complicated? Could you see yourself in their situation?"
"Do you think the justice system handled that fairly? What would you have done differently?"
"Why do you think we're so drawn to true crime stories? What are we actually looking for?"

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