Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be crystal clear: this is NOT a kids' show just because it's animated. The Legend of Vox Machina is an adult fantasy series with Game of Thrones-level violence and Deadpool-level language, wrapped in gorgeous animation.

That said, for the right audience—older teens who can handle mature content and adults who love fantasy—this is genuinely excellent. The 100% RT score isn't a fluke; this is smart, funny, emotionally resonant storytelling that happens to feature animated characters getting dismembered. It's based on the massively popular Critical Role D&D campaign, so the world-building and character development are legitimately rich.

The WISE score is low because this fails hard on Wholesome and Safe for the vast majority of families with kids. But if you've got a 17-year-old who's into D&D, fantasy novels, and can handle R-rated content? This might actually be great co-viewing that sparks conversations about ethics, leadership, and storytelling. Just make absolutely sure younger siblings are nowhere near the screen when someone's head goes flying.

Age Fit

This is for older teens (17+) and adults only. Common Sense says 15+, but most families will want to wait until 17+ given the graphic violence, profanity, and sexual content. If your teen is a mature D&D enthusiast who handles R-rated content well, maybe 16+, but this is genuinely adult animation.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

35

This is an adult animated fantasy series based on a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, featuring significant violence, crude humor, profanity, and mature themes. While it models friendship and teamwork among the adventuring party, the tone is decidedly R-rated with graphic combat, sexual innuendo, and dark humor. Not emotionally healthy content for younger viewers, though the camaraderie between characters is genuine.

Imaginative

82

Exceptionally creative world-building rooted in D&D lore, with inventive fantasy creatures, magic systems, and adventure narratives. The show originated from an actual tabletop RPG campaign (Critical Role), demonstrating genuine collaborative storytelling. Rich character development and creative problem-solving scenarios make this highly imaginative content, even if the execution is mature-rated.

Safe

25

Common Sense Media rates this 15+, and that's generous. The show features graphic animated violence, gore, decapitations, profanity throughout, sexual content and innuendo, alcohol use, and dark themes. This is explicitly NOT safe for children or young teens. It's an adult animated series in the vein of Invincible or Castlevania—expect blood, guts, and F-bombs. The content is predictable for the genre (adult fantasy animation), so older teens know what they're getting into.

Enriching

68

Despite the mature content, there's genuine enrichment here: complex character arcs, ethical dilemmas about power and responsibility, themes of found family and redemption, and consequences for actions. The D&D roots mean strategic thinking and collaborative problem-solving are central. However, the entertainment value leans heavily on action and humor rather than deep philosophical exploration. For mature teens and adults, it offers meaningful storytelling wrapped in fantasy adventure.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely excellent storytelling with 100% RT critic score and passionate fanbase from the Critical Role community
Rich fantasy world-building and character development that treats viewers like intelligent adults
Explores themes of redemption, found family, and moral complexity within an entertaining adventure framework
For older teens interested in D&D, fantasy literature, or collaborative storytelling, this demonstrates how tabletop games can create compelling narratives
High production values and voice acting from the original cast who created these characters

⚠

What to Watch For

Graphic animated violence including gore, decapitations, and bloody combat—this is NOT Marvel-level action
Frequent strong profanity (F-bombs, etc.) and crude humor throughout
Sexual content, innuendo, and partial nudity appear regularly
Dark themes including death, betrayal, and morally gray situations
Despite Prime Video's kids mode being available, this should never be accessible to children—it's rated TV-MA for very good reasons

Conversation Starters

"What do you think makes a good leader? How do Vox Machina's decisions compare to what you'd do?"
"The characters all have complicated pasts and make mistakes—how do you think people earn redemption?"
"This started as a D&D game between friends. What stories would you want to tell if you could create any world?"
"How do the moral choices in fantasy settings relate to real-world ethical dilemmas?"

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