Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be real: Emily in Paris is the television equivalent of a macaron—pretty to look at, but mostly air and sugar with little nutritional value.

The show has been roundly criticized for its shallow portrayal of French culture, reliance on tired stereotypes, and protagonist who somehow succeeds despite being objectively bad at her job and worse at being a friend. The romantic entanglements are messy in ways that aren't fun or growth-oriented—they're just problematic. Emily pursues her friend's boyfriend, engages in workplace affairs, and generally models boundary-crossing behavior that would get most people fired or friendless.

For parents: this is NOT a show for your 13-year-old, even if they beg because it looks cute on Netflix. The sexual content is frequent and the relationship modeling is terrible. For 16+ teens or adults looking for brain-off escapism? Sure, if you can tolerate the cringe. But there are so many better options that are both entertaining AND enriching.

The 50% RT audience score and mixed critical reception tell you everything: even as guilty pleasure TV, it's polarizing. Some people love the fashion and fantasy; others find it unwatchable. Given the low substance and problematic content, this scores low on WISE for good reason.

Age Fit

This is for older teens (16+) and adults only. Despite the bright colors and rom-com vibe, the sexual content, affairs, and mature themes make it inappropriate for younger viewers. Common Sense says 15, but realistically, 16+ is safer. Adults will find it either a guilty pleasure or an eye-rolling hate-watch.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

42

Emily in Paris struggles significantly with wholesome content. The show features casual sexual encounters, workplace affairs (including Emily's relationship with her neighbor who's dating her friend), frequent drinking culture, and characters who often prioritize style over substance. While Emily herself is optimistic and friendly, the show models questionable relationship boundaries, workplace ethics, and superficial values. The pacing is fine, but the emotional modeling is problematic—betraying friends, pursuing taken men, and centering material excess.

Imaginative

38

The show is visually stylized with fashion and Parisian aesthetics, but it's deeply unoriginal—relying on tired American-abroad clichés and rom-com tropes from the early 2000s. There's minimal creative exploration or genuine curiosity about French culture; instead, it leans into stereotypes. The marketing campaigns Emily creates are often superficial rather than genuinely innovative. It doesn't invite viewers to think differently or explore new ideas—it's cotton candy television.

Safe

35

Common Sense Media rates this 15+, and that's generous. The show contains frequent sexual content including sex scenes (though not explicit), nudity, affairs, and mature relationship situations. There's regular alcohol consumption, some drug references, and adult language. For teens 15+, none of this is shocking, but it's absolutely inappropriate for younger viewers. The content isn't 'surprise' inappropriate—you know what you're getting—but it's firmly adult-oriented romantic content.

Enriching

28

This is where Emily in Paris really falls flat. The show has been widely criticized for its shallow portrayal of French culture, reliance on stereotypes, and lack of meaningful character development. While it touches on workplace dynamics and cultural differences, it does so in the most surface-level way possible. There's minimal growth, few meaningful takeaways, and the 'lessons' often reinforce problematic behavior. Entertainment value is subjective—critics are mixed (63% RT), audiences are lukewarm (50% RT audience, 6.8 IMDb). It's escapist fluff, but even as entertainment, it's divisive.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Visually appealing—if you love fashion, Parisian aesthetics, and Instagram-worthy shots, this delivers eye candy
Light escapism for adults who want zero-brain-cell entertainment after a long day
Could spark interest in French language, culture, or travel (even if the portrayal is cartoonish)
Shows a young woman navigating career challenges and a new city, which some teens might relate to on a surface level

⚠

What to Watch For

Mature sexual content throughout—affairs, casual hookups, some nudity—this is NOT for middle schoolers despite the bubbly aesthetic
Problematic relationship modeling: pursuing taken men, betraying friends, questionable workplace boundaries
Reinforces stereotypes about French culture that are often offensive or just plain wrong
Heavy emphasis on materialism, luxury brands, and appearance over substance
Your teen might come away thinking Paris is just berets, baguettes, and bad behavior

Conversation Starters

"What did you think about how Emily handled her relationship with Camille's boyfriend? Would you do the same?"
"Do you think the show portrays French people fairly, or does it lean on stereotypes?"
"Emily breaks a lot of 'rules' at work and in friendships—when is that okay and when does it cross a line?"
"If you moved to a new country, how would you approach learning about the culture differently than Emily does?"

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