Ramy – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Ramy

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2019

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A Muslim millennial fumbles through faith, family, and hookups in New Jersey—groundbreaking TV that's definitely not for the kids.

95%

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Ramy

show

TV-MA, 2019

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A Muslim millennial fumbles through faith, family, and hookups in New Jersey—groundbreaking TV that's definitely not for the kids.

95%

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Screenwise Verdict

Ramy is the kind of show that makes you say 'finally' if you've been waiting for Muslim-American stories that aren't about terrorism or arranged marriages. It's honest, funny, uncomfortable, and real.

But let's be crystal clear: this is not family viewing. It's TV-MA for good reason, with sexual content and substance use woven throughout. The protagonist sleeps around, drinks, does drugs, and generally struggles to live up to his religious ideals—that's literally the show.

What makes it worthwhile is the intelligence and empathy behind it. Ramy Youssef created something genuinely new in the TV landscape, and critics recognized it. It's enriching in the way good adult dramedies are: it makes you think, builds understanding, and entertains.

For parents of older teens (16+), this could be valuable co-viewing that sparks real conversations about faith, identity, and navigating conflicting values. For everyone else, save it for after the kids are in bed.

Age Fit

This is for older teens (16+) and adults. The sexual content, substance use, and mature themes make it inappropriate for younger viewers, but for mature high schoolers and adults, it's a smart, funny, culturally significant show that offers perspectives rarely seen on American TV.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Ramy explores a Muslim-American millennial navigating faith, family, and modern life with honesty that includes sexual content, substance use, and morally complex situations. While it models genuine cultural exploration and family bonds, the show's frank depiction of hookup culture, drinking, and religious hypocrisy makes it decidedly not wholesome in the traditional sense. The tone is thoughtful rather than exploitative, but the content is mature.

Imaginative

Ramy breaks new ground as one of the first American sitcoms centered on a Muslim-American protagonist, offering a fresh perspective rarely seen on TV. The show creatively explores the tension between religious identity and contemporary American life, using humor and drama in inventive ways. It invites viewers to consider faith, identity, and belonging from angles mainstream TV typically ignores. Strong critical reception (95% RT, 84 Metacritic) confirms its originality.

Safe

This is decidedly NOT safe for younger viewers. Common Sense Media rates it 15+, and the show includes sexual content, nudity, substance use, and mature thematic material. It's not gratuitous or exploitative, but parents would absolutely not want their 10-year-old walking in on random episodes. The content is intentional and contextual to the story, but it's firmly adult-oriented comedy-drama.

Enriching

This is where Ramy shines. The show offers genuine insight into Muslim-American life, immigrant family dynamics, and the struggle to reconcile faith with modern secular culture. It's empathy-building for non-Muslim viewers and validating for Muslim viewers. The show tackles ethical questions, religious doubt, cultural identity, and personal growth with nuance and intelligence. Critics praised it for exactly these reasons (84 Metacritic). It's entertaining AND substantive.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely groundbreaking representation of Muslim-American life that critics loved (95% RT, 84 Metacritic)
Smart, funny exploration of navigating faith in a secular world—raises real questions about identity and belonging
Created by and starring Ramy Youssef, based on his own experiences, giving it authentic voice and perspective
Builds empathy and cultural understanding in ways mainstream TV rarely attempts
Actually entertaining while being substantive—not preachy or educational in a boring way

⚠

What to Watch For

This is firmly TV-MA territory: sexual content, nudity, drug/alcohol use throughout
The protagonist is intentionally flawed and makes questionable choices—that's the point, but it's not modeling great behavior
Religious themes are handled with respect but also skepticism and humor that some families might find uncomfortable
Not appropriate for anyone under high school age, and even then, 15+ is the floor

Conversation Starters

"What did you think about how Ramy tries to balance his faith with his lifestyle choices?"
"Have you ever felt caught between different parts of your identity or different communities?"
"The show portrays Ramy's family as loving but complicated—what family dynamics felt real to you?"
"How does the show challenge or confirm what you thought you knew about Muslim-American life?"
"Do you think it's possible to be a 'bad Muslim' or a 'bad Christian' while still being a good person?"

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