Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Mr Inbetween is legitimately great TV—tight writing, dark humor, 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, and a premise that actually delivers on its promise. Scott Ryan created something genuinely original here, balancing brutal crime with tender parenting moments in a way that's both compelling and deeply uncomfortable.

But let's be crystal clear: this is not for kids. Not for 'mature 14-year-olds,' not for 'kids who've seen worse.' The protagonist is a hitman. He kills people for money. His 12-year-old daughter lives with him. The violence is graphic, the language is strong, and the moral ambiguity is the whole point.

For adults? Watch it. It's excellent. For older teens (16-17+) in families that tackle tough media together? Maybe, after you've screened it and you're ready to have real conversations about morality and consequences. For everyone else? Hard pass. The WISE score reflects that this is quality content in the wrong category for a family platform—it's a steak dinner served at a kids' birthday party.

Age Fit

This is for adults and mature older teens (16-17+) only, and even then parents should screen it first. The violence is graphic, the moral territory is muddy, and a child protagonist living with a hitman father makes this deeply inappropriate for anyone under 16. It's excellent television, but it's not family viewing.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

25

Ray Shoesmith is a hitman who kills people for money while raising his pre-teen daughter—the show's entire premise is morally inverted. While it does explore genuine family moments and Ray's love for Brittany, the central character models violence, criminal behavior, and moral ambiguity as a way of life. The show doesn't glorify this exactly, but it also presents Ray as sympathetic and competent, which creates uncomfortable moral territory. Not emotionally healthy for younger viewers.

Imaginative

78

The show's core concept—juxtaposing mundane domestic life with brutal criminal work in tight 23-25 minute episodes—is genuinely original. Critics compare it to Curb Your Enthusiasm for its dark comedic timing, and the tonal whiplash (daughter playing in pool one moment, violent beatdown the next) creates a distinctive Australian noir aesthetic. It's not imaginative in a 'build worlds' sense, but it's creatively ambitious in how it structures its storytelling.

Safe

15

TV-MA rated with explicit violence (shootings, physical assaults, hitman work), strong profanity, drug/alcohol use, and mature themes throughout. A 12-year-old lives with a father who murders for a living—this is deeply inappropriate content for children. The violence is graphic and not softened by comedy. Common Sense Media recommends 16+ only after parental screening, and warns it's unsuitable for under-13s. This is emphatically adult content.

Enriching

72

For mature viewers, the show offers sharp commentary on the consequences of criminal choices, the tension between family obligations and moral compromise, and genuine character complexity. The 95% critic/98% audience scores and 8.7 IMDb rating reflect its quality storytelling. It could spark meaningful discussions about morality, consequences, and how people rationalize harmful behavior—but only for older teens and adults who can process the moral ambiguity critically.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely original premise with tight, 23-minute episodes that waste zero time
95% critic/98% audience scores—this is legitimately excellent television
Dark humor that balances family tenderness with brutal crime in a way that's both uncomfortable and compelling
For older teens (16+), could spark real conversations about moral choices and consequences
Scott Ryan's performance as Ray is nuanced—he's not a cartoon villain, which makes the moral questions more interesting

⚠

What to Watch For

Graphic violence throughout—shootings, beatdowns, hitman work shown explicitly
Strong profanity, drug use, and adult themes in every episode
The protagonist is literally a murderer, and while the show doesn't glorify it, he's also sympathetic
A 12-year-old daughter lives with her hitman father—this setup alone is disturbing for younger viewers
TV-MA for good reason—this is not 'edgy teen content,' it's adult crime drama

Conversation Starters

"Ray clearly loves Brittany, but do you think his choices put her in danger? How would you feel if you found out your parent did something like this?"
"The show makes Ray seem competent and even likable sometimes—why do you think the writers did that? Does it make you uncomfortable?"
"What do you think the show is saying about whether people can separate their 'work life' from their 'family life' when the work is criminal?"
"If you were Brittany and found out what your dad really did, how would that change your relationship with him?"

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