The Society

The Society

show

TV-MA, 2019, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

WISE
45%

WISE Score

86

Avg. Tomatometer

Teens left alone in their wealthy town try building a society—think Lord of the Flies with better Wi-Fi and worse decision-making.

IMDb7.1
RT Critics86%
MC66
TMDB7.5
Common Sense Media
Where to Watch
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Where-to-watch data byJustWatch
Screenwise Verdict

The Society had potential—a solid premise, decent execution, and themes worth exploring. The problem? Netflix cancelled it after one season with a massive cliffhanger, which transforms it from 'compelling mystery' to 'exercise in frustration.'

Content-wise, this is firmly in the mature teen territory. There's violence (including a murder storyline), sex, drinking, drugs, and the general chaos of teenagers making life-or-death decisions without adult guidance. It's not gratuitous, but it's definitely present.

The enrichment value is real—questions about governance, justice, and human nature are woven throughout—but the lack of resolution seriously undermines it. You'll invest 10 episodes only to be left hanging forever.

If your older teen is into dystopian stories and can handle the mature content plus the disappointment of no Season 2, it might be worth a watch. Just go in knowing you're signing up for an incomplete story. For most families, there are better uses of screen time.

Age Fit

Best for older teens (16+) who can handle mature content and won't be devastated by the unresolved ending. Younger teens will find the premise intriguing but may not be ready for the darker turns the show takes.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
42

Lord of the Flies meets teen drama—teens forge a society without adults, which inevitably includes power struggles, romantic entanglements, violence, and moral gray areas. The premise inherently explores darker human behavior under stress. Not emotionally healthy viewing for younger audiences; models conflict more than cooperation, though some characters do show leadership and care.

Imaginative
68

Strong 'what if' premise that invites speculation about survival, governance, and social structures. The mystery of everyone vanishing is genuinely intriguing. However, it's more thought-provoking than creatively expressive—viewers consume rather than create. The sci-fi/mystery elements are compelling but the show was cancelled after one season, leaving major questions unresolved.

Safe
35

Contains mature content typical of teen dramas: sexual situations, underage drinking, drug use, violence (including a murder), pregnancy, and intense psychological stress. The 'wealthy town' setting means privilege dynamics are at play. Without a clear content rating in our data, but given the premise and genre conventions, this likely earned TV-MA or TV-14 at minimum. Not safe for unexpected viewing by younger audiences.

Enriching
58

Raises meaningful questions about governance, justice, resource management, and what holds society together. Can spark discussions about leadership, morality, and human nature. However, the abrupt cancellation means no resolution or complete narrative arc, which significantly diminishes the enrichment value. The TMDB rating of 7.5 suggests audiences found it engaging, but the lack of closure is frustrating.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Genuinely thought-provoking premise about what happens when all the rules disappear overnight
  • Explores complex themes like justice, leadership, resource scarcity, and power dynamics in accessible ways
  • Strong mystery hook that keeps you guessing about what actually happened
  • Can spark meaningful family discussions about governance, morality, and human nature
  • Decent production values and a cast that commits to the material
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What to Watch For

  • Mature content throughout: sex, violence (including murder), substance abuse, and psychological intensity
  • The show was cancelled after Season 1 with zero resolution—major cliffhanger that will never be answered
  • Dark exploration of how quickly civilization can break down; some characters make deeply troubling choices
  • Privilege and wealth dynamics are present but not always examined critically
  • The 'teens governing themselves' premise inevitably includes poor decision-making that may be frustrating to watch

Conversation Starters

  • "If you had to create rules for a new society, what would be your top three priorities?"
  • "Which character's approach to leadership do you think worked best, and why?"
  • "How do you think you'd handle the stress of not knowing what happened to your parents?"
  • "The show raises questions about justice—when is it okay to punish someone, and who gets to decide?"
  • "What do you think actually happened to everyone? What's your theory?"
Stills
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