Is this basically BoJack Horseman without the animals?

Sort of. It has the same DNA—sharp wit, emotional gut-punches, and a fascination with how people mess up their lives—but it's more grounded in reality and less 'bonkers' than BoJack.

How confusing is the time-hopping?

It can be tricky. The show doesn't always hold your hand. You have to pay attention to the dialogue to figure out where (and when) you are in the family's timeline.

Is there a lot of 'adult' content?

There's mature language and adult themes (divorce, death, drinking), but it's not a 'shocker' show. The maturity comes from the emotional weight rather than explicit content.

Why is the critic score so much lower than the audience score?

Critics often find Bob-Waksberg's repetitive, 'talky' style self-indulgent. Audiences, however, seem to find the dialogue relatable and the emotional payoffs worth the wait.

Long Story Short – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Long Story Short

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2025

74%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Raphael Bob-Waksberg trades talking horses for time-traveling humans in this messy, emotionally loud look at how families fall apart and stay together.

51%

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Long Story Short

movie

NR, 2025

74%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Raphael Bob-Waksberg trades talking horses for time-traveling humans in this messy, emotionally loud look at how families fall apart and stay together.

51%

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51%

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Screenwise Verdict

If you loved BoJack Horseman for its soul-crushing honesty but wished it had fewer animal puns and more actual people, this is your show. Raphael Bob-Waksberg remains the king of making you feel slightly uncomfortable about your own life choices while making you laugh.

It's a bit of a 'vibe' watch. Critics are split because the dialogue can feel self-indulgent, but the audience score doesn't lie—there's a core of truth here that's hitting home for families. It’s not a 'safe' family watch in the sense of being easy or light, but it’s a brilliant conversation starter for families with older kids who can handle a little cynicism with their heart.

Age Fit

Best for older teens (14+) and adults. The themes of aging, regret, and long-term family resentment are likely to fly over the heads of younger kids, even if the humor is 'zany' at times.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It captures the messy reality of family life without sugarcoating it, though the cynical edge and 'boundary-pushing' humor keep it from being a traditional feel-good watch.

Imaginative

The time-hopping structure is a clever way to tell a decades-long family story, showing the ripple effects of small decisions across generations.

Safe

Deals with heavy themes like death and divorce. It's not 'unsafe,' but it's emotionally mature and expects the audience to handle significant life trauma handled as casual conversation.

Enriching

Offers deep insight into family dynamics and the passage of time. It's the kind of show that makes you want to call your parents or siblings, even if it's just to argue.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Creative storytelling that uses time jumps to show how one family evolves (and dissolves) over decades.
Relatable conflicts that feel much more grounded and 'human' than the creator's previous work on BoJack Horseman.
Strong audience appeal suggests that while critics found it clunky, real people are finding a lot of heart in the narrative.
Thought-provoking themes about legacy and how we remember the people we love.

⚠

What to Watch For

The dialogue can be repetitive and stylized, which some viewers find grating rather than charming.
Major life traumas—like a parent's death or a painful divorce—are often revealed through passing dialogue, which can be jarring if you aren't paying close attention.
It 'pushes the boundaries' of humor; expect some cynical or sharp-edged jokes that might not land for younger or more sensitive teens.

Conversation Starters

"If you could jump forward ten years to see one specific thing about our family, what would it be?"
"Why do you think the show reveals big events like deaths through casual conversation instead of showing them?"
"Does the time-hopping make you feel more or less connected to the characters?"
"Which character's reaction to their family 'mess' felt the most real to you?"

Deep Dive

The Bob-Waksberg Effect

Coming off the massive cultural footprint of BoJack Horseman, expectations for Raphael Bob-Waksberg’s next move were sky-high. Long Story Short is a fascinating pivot. It keeps the sharp, rapid-fire wit but ditches the surrealism for something that feels uncomfortably close to home. By using a time-hopping mechanic, the show manages to cover the 'greatest hits' (and misses) of a family's history without the slog of a traditional linear drama.

Why the Critic Split?

The 51% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes usually signals a 'love it or hate it' project. Critics have called the dialogue pointless and repetitive, which is a fair critique if you're looking for tight, plot-driven television. But the 85% audience score suggests that viewers are enjoying the 'hangout' vibe. It feels like eavesdropping on a real family—one that talks too much, repeats the same stories, and doesn't always know how to handle the big stuff.

How to Watch with Teens

This isn't a show you put on in the background. Because major plot points—deaths, divorces, moves—are often dropped into conversation as 'blink and you'll miss it' moments, it requires active listening. It's a great pick for parents and older teens to watch together, specifically because it treats the 'boring' parts of life as the most important ones. If your kid is into theater or character-driven storytelling, this is a goldmine. If they want action and clear-cut heroes, they'll be bored in ten minutes.

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