Paradise – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Paradise

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2025

48%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A Secret Service agent hunts a presidential killer in this Hulu thriller that's competent, tense, and definitely not family movie night.

7.9/10

86%

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Paradise

show

TV-MA, 2025

48%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A Secret Service agent hunts a presidential killer in this Hulu thriller that's competent, tense, and definitely not family movie night.

7.9

86%

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86%

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Screenwise Verdict

Paradise is a serviceable political thriller that does exactly what it says on the tin: murder, intrigue, tense investigation. The 86% critic score suggests it's well-made, but parent reviews reveal the truth—it's fine, not great. The acting is middling, the plot is standard genre fare, and nothing here will blow your mind.

For teens 14+ who are into mysteries or political dramas, it's a decent watch that won't rot their brain. It'll make them think a little, pay attention to details, maybe ask questions about power and corruption. But it's also dark, tense, and built around a presidential assassination, so this is absolutely not a show you put on during family dinner or when younger siblings are around.

Bottom line: if your high schooler wants to watch it, fine. Just know you're getting a B-minus thriller, not prestige TV.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media's 14+ rating is spot-on. This is for high schoolers and adults who enjoy political thrillers and can handle themes of death, conspiracy, and institutional corruption without getting rattled. Younger teens might be fine, but this isn't a family show.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a political thriller centered on presidential assassination, murder investigation, and high-stakes intrigue. While IMDb parent guide rates sex/nudity and violence as 'mild,' the core premise involves death, conspiracy, and trauma that affects 'the entire world' per Common Sense Media. Not emotionally nurturing content—it's tense, dark, and built around violence even if not graphically depicted. Models investigative persistence but not cooperation or kindness in a meaningful way.

Imaginative

A murder mystery in a 'seemingly peaceful community' has inherent puzzle-solving appeal and invites viewers to piece together clues. However, it's a fairly standard thriller formula—Secret Service agent, dead president, conspiracy vibes. The 86% RT critic score and 7.9 IMDb suggest competent execution but nothing groundbreaking. Doesn't invite creative expression or world-building; it's a consume-and-solve narrative. Solid genre work, not inspired.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it 14+, IMDb parent guide notes moderate profanity and mild content across other categories. The premise itself—presidential murder, investigation into global-scale tragedy—means this show traffics in death, potential violence, and intense themes. A parent putting this on wouldn't expect their 8-year-old to wander in and see something appropriate. It's not gratuitous, but it's also not safe for unexpected viewing by younger kids. Hulu's kids mode helps, but the content is inherently mature.

Enriching

Political thrillers can prompt conversations about power, justice, corruption, and institutional trust. The investigation framework encourages critical thinking and attention to detail. However, parent reviews on Common Sense Media are lukewarm—'Ok show, nothing amazing, acting isn't that great.' It's not lazy TV, but it's also not deeply thought-provoking or skill-building. Moderate entertainment value with some cognitive engagement, but no lasting insight or empathy-building.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Solid mystery structure for teens who like puzzles and political intrigue—encourages critical thinking and attention to detail
High critic/audience scores (86% RT, 7.9 IMDb) suggest professional execution and watchable pacing
Can spark conversations about power, justice, institutional corruption, and how investigations actually work
Relatively restrained content for the genre—mild violence/sex per IMDb, so it's not gratuitous even if the themes are heavy

⚠

What to Watch For

Central premise is presidential assassination and murder investigation—death and conspiracy are baked into every episode
Moderate profanity throughout; Common Sense Media rates it 14+ for good reason
Parent reviews are mixed on quality—'Ok show, nothing amazing, acting isn't that great'—so temper expectations
Tense, intense scenes that could be frightening for younger or sensitive viewers

Conversation Starters

"What do you think makes a good investigator? What clues would you look for first?"
"How much power should one person have in government? What happens when that power is abused?"
"If you had to solve a mystery like this, who would you trust and why?"
"What do you think the show is saying about safety, secrets, and who gets to know the truth?"

Deep Dive

The Prestige Gap

Critics are largely on board with this one, but don't let that 86% Rotten Tomatoes score fool you into thinking this is the next Succession. There is a noticeable disconnect between the professional reviews and the people actually sitting on their couches. While the "mystery box" structure keeps the plot moving, some fans find the dialogue clunky and the character motivations a bit thin. It is the kind of show you watch because you’re already three episodes in and need to know who killed the former president, not because the writing is life-changing.

If your teen is a fan of political procedurals, they will likely find it serviceable. It is better than the average network drama but doesn't quite reach the heights of top-tier prestige TV. If you're looking for a deeper breakdown of how the plot holds up, check out our Hulu’s Paradise: A Parent’s Guide to the Post-Apocalyptic Mystery for the full context on the show's first season.

Stakes and Mystery Boxes

The central hook involving a Secret Service agent investigating a presidential murder in a gated community is designed to be addictive. It relies heavily on cliffhangers. For a 14-year-old, this is a great entry point into the political conspiracy genre. It is complex enough to require their full attention but doesn't get bogged down in the dense policy talk of a show like The West Wing.

However, the tone is consistently heavy. This isn't a "fun" mystery. It is built on institutional corruption and the fallout of a national tragedy. If your kid is sensitive to themes of death or feels anxious about real-world political instability, this might be a skip. The show leans into the "nowhere is safe" trope, which can be a lot if they aren't in the mood for a cynical worldview.

If They Liked This...

For teens who enjoyed the high-stakes investigation of something like The Night Agent, Paradise is a logical next step. It is a bit more "adult" in its pacing and themes, but stays within that 14+ comfort zone for most families. If they burn through the first season and want more, we’ve already mapped out The High-Stakes Return of 'Paradise': A Parent’s Guide to help you decide if the escalating twists in the second season are still a fit for your household.

We also have a heads-up on the future of the series in our guide on what to know about Paradise Season 3, which is helpful if you want to know if the story actually has an ending or if it’s going to leave you hanging on a cliffhanger forever.

A Note on Quality

Some parents have noted that the acting is "nothing amazing," and that’s a fair critique. It is a genre piece. The plot is the star here, not the performances. If your kid is a theater geek or appreciates high-level character studies, they might find this boring. But if they just want to solve a puzzle and see a conspiracy unspool, it hits the mark. Just don't expect it to be the centerpiece of your family's media diet. It is a solid "B-minus" thriller that fills the gap between bigger releases.

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