Frontier – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Frontier

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2016

35%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Brutal fur-trade drama where Jason Momoa stabs his way through 1700s Canada—definitely not family viewing.

7.1/10

75%

78%

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Frontier

show

TV-MA, 2016

35%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Brutal fur-trade drama where Jason Momoa stabs his way through 1700s Canada—definitely not family viewing.

7.1

75%

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7.1/10

75%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, Frontier is a well-made historical drama with strong performances and an interesting premise. Jason Momoa does his thing, the fur trade setting is fresh, and the production values are solid. The 75% critic score and 7.1 IMDb rating reflect genuine quality.

But let's be crystal clear: this is an adults-only show, and even then, it's for adults who can stomach relentless gore, torture, and brutality. Common Sense Media's 'severe' violence rating isn't hyperbole—this show is dark. If you're looking for something to watch with your teen, keep scrolling. If you're a parent of younger kids who might wander into the room, absolutely not.

For grown-ups who enjoy gritty historical fiction and can handle the graphic content, Frontier offers an under-explored slice of North American history. Just make sure the kids are in bed and the door is closed.

Age Fit

This is strictly 16+ content, and honestly, even that's pushing it for sensitive teens. The violence is graphic and constant, the sexual content is explicit, and the racial slurs and colonial brutality require significant maturity and historical context to process. Adults interested in dark historical dramas will find it engaging, but this is absolutely not family viewing.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a brutal, dark historical drama with pervasive graphic violence (shootings, stabbings, torture, animal slaughter), sexual content (rear nudity, prostitution scenes), strong profanity (including f-bombs), and racial slurs. The tone is consistently grim and violent, modeling power struggles and colonial exploitation rather than cooperation or kindness. Not emotionally healthy viewing for anyone under 16.

Imaginative

The 18th-century Canadian fur trade setting is a relatively unexplored historical period in popular media, offering a gritty look at colonial economics and frontier survival. The half-Irish/half-Cree protagonist brings an interesting cultural perspective to the narrative. However, the show leans heavily on violent conflict rather than creative problem-solving or exploration, limiting its imaginative scope to historical world-building.

Safe

TV-MA rating with 'severe' violence designation from Common Sense Media. Graphic gore, explicit language, sexual content, torture scenes, and racial slurs throughout. This is absolutely not safe for unexpected viewing by children or teens under 16. The violence is frequent, bloody, and disturbing. Parent reviewers call it 'awful for adults, never mind kids.'

Enriching

Offers historical insight into the fur trade era, colonial power dynamics, and Indigenous/European relations in North America. The show raises questions about capitalism, exploitation, and survival, and could spark meaningful conversations about consent, racism, and colonial violence—but only for mature viewers who can handle the graphic presentation. The entertainment value exists but comes wrapped in relentless brutality.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Explores an under-represented historical period (Canadian fur trade) with gritty authenticity
Jason Momoa brings intensity to the half-Irish/half-Cree outlaw protagonist
Raises complex questions about colonial exploitation, capitalism, and Indigenous resistance
Strong production values and atmospheric period setting
Could spark important conversations about historical violence and power—for mature viewers only

⚠

What to Watch For

Graphic, frequent violence including torture, stabbings, shootings, and animal slaughter rated 'severe' by reviewers
Sexual content including rear nudity and prostitution scenes
Strong profanity throughout (damn, hell, shit, f-bombs)
Racial slurs including the N-word
Dark, relentlessly grim tone with little levity
Depictions of sexual assault that require discussion and context

Conversation Starters

"What do you think drove people to risk their lives for control of the fur trade? Was it worth it?"
"How did the show portray the relationship between European colonizers and Indigenous peoples? What felt accurate or problematic?"
"Declan Harp uses violence to fight against a monopoly. When, if ever, is violent resistance justified?"
"The show depicts racism and exploitation as historical fact. How do those systems still affect us today?"

Stills