The Terror: Infamy – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Terror: Infamy

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2018

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Historical horror that blends WWII Japanese-American internment with supernatural terror—atmospheric and well-made, but brutally graphic.

87%

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The Terror: Infamy

show

TV-14, 2018

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Historical horror that blends WWII Japanese-American internment with supernatural terror—atmospheric and well-made, but brutally graphic.

87%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is a well-crafted show that tackles important history through a horror lens, and if you're an adult who enjoys atmospheric, culturally-grounded scary stories, it delivers. The production is solid, the historical setting is compelling, and critics loved it.

But let's be real: this is not for kids, and the TV-14 rating is misleading. We're talking graphic cannibalism, severe body horror, and a level of psychological dread that will stick with you. The Common Sense Media 14+ recommendation feels generous—most 14-year-olds aren't ready for this intensity.

If you have a mature 16- or 17-year-old interested in history and horror, this could be a powerful watch-together experience with plenty of discussion afterward about internment, racism, and how we process historical trauma. But younger teens? Hard pass. The nightmares aren't worth the history lesson, no matter how important that lesson is.

Age Fit

This is for older teens (16+) and adults only. Despite the TV-14 rating and Common Sense Media's 14+ recommendation, the graphic violence, cannibalism, and intense horror imagery make it too disturbing for most 14-year-olds. Best for mature high schoolers and adults who can handle both the historical weight and the severe horror elements.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a dark, atmospheric horror series that deals with wartime trauma, racism, and supernatural terror. While it tackles important historical themes (Japanese-American internment), the tone is bleak and emotionally heavy. The show includes graphic violence, cannibalism, disturbing imagery, and intense psychological horror that creates a deeply unsettling viewing experience. Not emotionally healthy for younger viewers, and the pacing is deliberately slow and dread-filled rather than balanced.

Imaginative

The series blends historical drama with Japanese folklore and supernatural horror in a creative way, using the real-world setting of WWII internment camps as a backdrop for a yurei (vengeful spirit) story. The production design and atmospheric horror are well-executed, and the cultural specificity of the Japanese-American experience combined with traditional ghost story elements shows genuine creativity. However, it's a passive viewing experience that doesn't invite exploration or creative expression beyond discussion.

Safe

IMDb flags severe violence and gore including graphic depictions of a character being ripped apart, cannibalism, botulism-like illness, and a man's bare buttocks being whipped. The show contains disturbing and frightening imagery throughout, with intense suspense and themes of death that many viewers find unsettling. While sexual content is limited to implied encounters, the graphic violence and horror elements make this deeply unsafe for children and young teens. TV-14 rating undersells the intensity.

Enriching

The series offers substantial historical education about Japanese-American internment during WWII, a topic often overlooked in mainstream media. It explores themes of racism, cultural identity, survival, and the real-world horrors of prejudice alongside supernatural terror. The show can spark important conversations about civil rights and wartime injustice. However, the graphic horror elements may overshadow the historical lessons for many viewers, and the entertainment value comes primarily from scares rather than meaningful character development.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Shines a light on Japanese-American internment, a dark chapter of U.S. history that deserves more attention
Strong production values with atmospheric cinematography and culturally-specific folklore elements
Thoughtful exploration of racism, identity, and the intersection of real-world and supernatural horror
High critical ratings (87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 7.8 on IMDb) indicate quality storytelling

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What to Watch For

Severe violence and gore including graphic scenes of cannibalism, body horror, and physical torture
Intense psychological horror and frightening imagery that can be genuinely disturbing
Heavy emotional themes about racism, displacement, and cultural trauma that require maturity to process
Slow-burn pacing and bleak tone—this isn't fun horror, it's dread-filled and emotionally exhausting

Conversation Starters

"What did you know about Japanese-American internment before watching this? How does the show make you think differently about that period?"
"Why do you think the creators chose to tell this historical story through a horror lens? Does the supernatural element make the real-world injustice more or less impactful?"
"How does the show portray the clash between traditional Japanese culture and American identity during wartime?"

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