The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2019

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Jim Henson's puppetry masterpiece returns with stunning visuals and Lord of the Rings-level darkness—not your typical kids' show.

89%

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The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

show

TV-PG, 2019

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Jim Henson's puppetry masterpiece returns with stunning visuals and Lord of the Rings-level darkness—not your typical kids' show.

89%

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Screenwise Verdict

This is legitimately great television that happens to be made with puppets—don't let that fool you into thinking it's for little kids. The craftsmanship is museum-quality, the story is genuinely compelling, and the world-building rivals anything in modern fantasy.

But here's the thing: that one graphic death scene in the middle of the series will catch you off guard if you're not ready for it. Netflix's PG rating undersells the intensity. Think of this as a dark fantasy epic that requires the same parental pre-screening you'd give a Marvel movie, except with more existential dread and less quippy humor.

For the right age (10-11+), this is gold. It respects young viewers' intelligence, doesn't shy away from difficult themes, and delivers a visual experience they literally cannot get anywhere else. Just don't put it on for your 7-year-old expecting Muppets.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10-11 and up who can handle dark fantasy violence and moral complexity. The Common Sense Media age-11 rating is spot-on—younger kids will likely find it too scary, while tweens and teens (plus fantasy-loving adults) will appreciate the artistry and depth.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Models courage, friendship, and standing up against oppression, but the dark fantasy tone includes betrayal, violence, and morally complex themes of war and rebellion. The Gelfling protagonists demonstrate cooperation and sacrifice, though the overall atmosphere is heavy rather than uplifting. Not chaotic in pacing, but emotionally intense.

Imaginative

Absolutely stunning world-building through elaborate puppetry and practical effects. The planet Thra is richly imagined with unique creatures, cultures, and ecosystems. Invites deep curiosity about fantasy world construction and storytelling. The commitment to physical puppetry over CGI is genuinely creative and distinctive in modern television.

Safe

Multiple significant content warnings: graphic death with blood splatter (a Skeksis beats a character to death on screen), frightening creatures, mild sexual suggestiveness (tongue gesture toward female character), brief non-explicit nudity, and raw-food eating scenes. While it's fantasy violence rather than realistic, the intensity and visual darkness make it unsuitable for younger children without preparation. PG rating and Common Sense Media's age 11 recommendation reflect these concerns.

Enriching

Explores meaningful themes of systemic oppression, class inequality, environmental exploitation, and collective resistance. The narrative complexity rewards older viewers who can process moral ambiguity and political allegory. The artistry of puppetry itself is educational. However, the dark tone may overshadow the lessons for some viewers, and it's more about experiencing a world than building transferable skills.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The puppetry is genuinely breathtaking—a lost art brought to life with modern production values that puts most CGI to shame
Rich world-building that rewards attention and invites deep engagement with an alien ecosystem and culture
Tackles real themes of power, corruption, and resistance without talking down to viewers
Critical acclaim across the board (89% RT critics, 94% audience, 8.4 IMDb) for good reason—this is prestige television
Perfect gateway to epic fantasy storytelling for tweens ready to graduate from lighter fare

⚠

What to Watch For

One episode features a genuinely graphic death scene with a Skeksis beating a character and visible blood—it shocked parents who weren't expecting it
The overall vibe is eerie and unsettling throughout, with frightening creature designs that linger
Brief moment of sexual suggestiveness and quick Podling nudity (waist-down, not explicit but unexpected)
Heavy themes of oppression and war may be too much emotional weight for sensitive kids under 10
Despite the puppets, this is NOT Sesame Street—treat it like a PG-13 fantasy film in tone

Conversation Starters

"The Skeksis are draining the Crystal to stay powerful—have you ever seen someone in real life hold onto power in ways that hurt others?"
"Why do you think the Gelfling clans didn't work together sooner? What makes it hard for different groups to trust each other?"
"How did watching puppets instead of CGI characters change how the story felt to you?"
"If you discovered something terrible that everyone else was ignoring, would you speak up like the main characters did?"

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