Exploding Kittens

Exploding Kittens

show

TV-14, 2024

WISE
38%

WISE Score

6.8

IMDb

God and Satan as bickering house cats sounds wild, but this Netflix adaptation lands somewhere between 'meh' and 'why did we watch this?'

IMDb6.8
MC54
Common Sense Media
Where to Watch
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Screenwise Verdict

Look, the premise is undeniably creative: the Almighty and the Prince of Darkness trapped as talking cats, forced to navigate suburban life. It's the kind of high-concept absurdity that could work brilliantly.

But here's the thing—it doesn't really work. With a Metacritic score of 54 and lukewarm audience response, 'Exploding Kittens' seems to mistake irreverence for cleverness. It's got crude humor without the heart, theological concepts without the depth, and chaos without the charm.

If your teen loved the card game and wants to check it out, fine—it's not going to corrupt anyone. But don't expect meaningful family bonding or even consistent laughs. It's the kind of show that sounds way better in the pitch meeting than on your screen.

There are so many better animated shows on Netflix right now. Unless your kid is specifically asking for this, you can safely skip it.

Age Fit

Best for teens 14+ who appreciate irreverent, absurdist humor and won't be bothered by religious concepts played for laughs. Younger kids will miss the jokes and may find the premise confusing; older teens might find it trying too hard.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
35

God vs. Satan premise as talking cats sounds quirky but execution leans heavily on crude humor and adversarial dynamics rather than kindness or cooperation. The concept itself—divine beings trapped in cat bodies—sets up constant conflict rather than modeling positive behavior. Metacritic score of 54 and IMDb 6.8 suggest lukewarm reception, indicating the tone likely misses the mark on emotional health.

Imaginative
58

The premise of God and Satan as talking cats living among humans is genuinely creative and absurd in an interesting way. Based on the popular card game, it attempts to translate chaotic humor into animated form. However, without evidence of world-building depth or inviting creative thinking beyond the initial gimmick, it likely relies on shock value more than sustained imaginative storytelling.

Safe
52

Common Sense Media rates it 14+, suggesting mature themes, language, or humor inappropriate for younger viewers. The God/Satan dynamic likely includes religious irreverence, crude jokes, and potentially dark humor that could be jarring. Netflix Kids Mode availability is a plus, but the content itself isn't designed for unexpected family viewing. No extreme violence or sexual content expected, but thematic elements warrant caution.

Enriching
28

Hard to identify meaningful takeaways from a premise built on divine beings bickering as cats. While theological concepts could theoretically spark discussion, the execution (based on mediocre critical scores) suggests it's more interested in shock laughs than exploring good vs. evil meaningfully. Entertainment value appears middling at best—not funny enough to justify low enrichment, not smart enough to offer real insight.

Parent Info

Why It Might Be Great

  • Genuinely bonkers premise that could appeal to teens who like absurdist humor
  • Based on the wildly popular Exploding Kittens card game, so there's built-in fan appeal
  • Talking cats are always a draw, even when they're literally embodiments of cosmic good and evil
  • Could spark interesting conversations about morality, free will, and religious concepts—if you squint really hard

What to Watch For

  • Rated 14+ for a reason—expect crude humor, irreverent religious jokes, and mature themes that'll go over younger kids' heads (or land badly)
  • The God vs. Satan setup is played for laughs but could be genuinely confusing or uncomfortable depending on your family's beliefs
  • Mediocre reviews (Metacritic 54, IMDb 6.8) suggest it's not as clever or funny as it thinks it is
  • May feel like it's trying too hard to be edgy without actually having much to say

Conversation Starters

  • "What do you think makes someone 'good' or 'evil'? Can people (or cats) be both?"
  • "If you had to live as an animal, which one would you pick and why?"
  • "Do you think the show treats religious ideas respectfully or is it just making fun of them?"
  • "What would you do if you had god-like powers but were stuck in a cat's body?"
Stills
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