High Fidelity – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

High Fidelity

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2020

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Gender-flipped High Fidelity reboot: Brooklyn vinyl store owner unpacks her messy love life through top-five lists and killer music.

86%

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High Fidelity

show

TV-MA, 2020

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Gender-flipped High Fidelity reboot: Brooklyn vinyl store owner unpacks her messy love life through top-five lists and killer music.

86%

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Screenwise Verdict

High Fidelity is a solid adult dramedy that successfully updates the source material for 2020, but it's absolutely not for kids or even most teens.

The good: Zoë Kravitz is magnetic, the music is killer, and the show has more emotional depth and diversity than the John Cusack film. Critics liked it, audiences liked it, and if you're into vinyl culture and relationship dramedies, you'll probably dig it.

The reality check: It got cancelled after one season, so you're investing in an incomplete story. And the mature content is pervasive - this isn't a 'watch one episode and see' situation. It's sex, swearing, and self-destruction from the jump.

For parents: This has zero relevance to anyone under 18. It's an adult show for adults who want to watch other adults make questionable romantic decisions while listening to great music. File under 'after the kids go to bed.'

Age Fit

This is strictly adult content (18+, though Common Sense says 16+ for mature teens). The sexual content, language, and relationship dysfunction make it inappropriate for anyone younger. Best for adults who love music culture and can handle messy, flawed characters.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This Hulu reboot centers on a record store owner navigating messy relationships, breakups, and emotional baggage. While it models some self-reflection and growth, the tone skews cynical and relationship-focused rather than emotionally healthy. Expect adult themes around casual sex, drinking, and interpersonal dysfunction that aren't particularly wholesome or uplifting.

Imaginative

The show reimagines the classic Nick Hornby novel/2000 film with a Black woman protagonist in contemporary Brooklyn, which is a fresh creative choice. The music-centric setting and exploration of vinyl culture offers some imaginative texture, but the execution is fairly conventional romantic dramedy territory without pushing creative boundaries significantly.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates this 16+, and that tracks. Expect mature sexual content, strong language throughout, drinking, and adult relationship dynamics including infidelity and casual hookups. This is firmly adult-oriented content with sexual situations that would be inappropriate for younger viewers. Not family-friendly by any stretch.

Enriching

There's genuine exploration of identity, self-sabotage, and emotional growth through the lens of music and relationships. The show tackles themes of race, gender, and modern dating with some depth. However, it's primarily entertainment focused on romantic drama rather than offering profound life lessons or skill-building. The music knowledge is a plus for vinyl enthusiasts.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Zoë Kravitz brings charisma to a reimagined Rob Gordon, making the character her own in contemporary Brooklyn
Excellent soundtrack and deep-cut vinyl culture for music nerds who appreciate the analog aesthetic
Explores modern dating, identity, and self-sabotage with more nuance than the original film
Strong critical reviews (86% RT) suggest quality writing and performances
Tackles race and gender dynamics in ways the 2000 white-male-centric version couldn't

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What to Watch For

Explicit sexual content, casual hookups, and mature relationship dynamics throughout
Strong language and drinking are constants - this is adult entertainment
Only one season before cancellation means no resolution to character arcs
The cynical, self-absorbed protagonist energy may grate if you're not in the mood for that vibe

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Rob keeps sabotaging her relationships? Have you ever gotten in your own way like that?"
"What would be on your top-five list of breakups, albums, or life-defining moments?"
"How does the show's portrayal of modern dating compare to your experience or what you've seen?"
"Do you think physical music (vinyl, CDs) means something different than streaming? Why?"

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