The Traitors

The Traitors

show

TV-MA, 2022

WISE
52%

WISE Score

87

Avg. Tomatometer

Adults lie, backstab, and gaslight each other in a castle—it's Mafia meets reality TV, and honestly, it's kind of riveting.

IMDb8.7
RT Critics87%
MC70
Common Sense Media
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Screenwise Verdict

Look, if you're into social deduction games like Mafia or Among Us, this is basically that with a massive budget and a French castle. It's entertaining, it's well-produced, and watching people try to lie convincingly is genuinely fascinating.

But let's be clear: this is not family viewing. The whole point is deception, manipulation, and psychological warfare. That's fine for adults who understand it's a game with explicit rules, but it's terrible modeling for kids. You wouldn't want your 10-year-old thinking that lying and gaslighting are skills to develop.

For adults or older teens (17+) who can appreciate it as strategic entertainment? It's solid. The WISE score reflects that it's well-made and engaging, but fundamentally built on values that don't align with what we'd want kids internalizing. Watch it after the kids go to bed, and maybe use it as a conversation starter about ethics in games versus real life.

Age Fit

This is firmly adult content (18+). While there's no graphic violence or sexual content, the entire premise revolves around psychological manipulation and betrayal. Teens 16+ might find it interesting from a game theory perspective, but younger viewers would either be bored or learn the wrong lessons about social interaction.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
35

The entire premise revolves around deception, manipulation, and betrayal. While it's a game format, the core mechanics actively reward lying and psychological manipulation. This doesn't model kindness or cooperation—it's the opposite. The emotional tone is designed to be tense and paranoid, not emotionally healthy viewing.

Imaginative
68

The format is genuinely creative—a social deduction game brought to reality TV with castle setting and strategic depth. It requires players (and viewers) to think critically about human behavior, read social cues, and develop strategies. The psychological chess element invites engagement and theory-crafting about who's lying. Loses points for not being truly original (based on Mafia/Werewolf games) and not inviting creative expression from viewers.

Safe
72

No violence, gore, sexual content, or major trigger warnings. The 'eliminations' are game-based, not violent. However, the psychological manipulation and gaslighting dynamics could be unsettling, especially for younger viewers who might not fully grasp it's a game. The paranoia and betrayal themes, while not graphic, create emotional intensity. IMDb 7.8 suggests mature audience appreciation. Kids mode available is a positive signal.

Enriching
58

There's genuine value in watching strategic thinking, reading body language, and understanding group dynamics. It can spark discussions about trust, ethics, and game theory. However, the 'enrichment' is complicated by the fact that it glorifies lying and manipulation as winning strategies. Entertainment value is high for adults who enjoy psychological games, but the ethical takeaways are murky. It's more 'fascinating human behavior study' than 'builds character.'

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Genuinely engaging strategic gameplay that rewards psychological insight and social reading
  • High production value with castle setting adds atmospheric drama
  • Can spark fascinating discussions about game theory, trust, and human behavior
  • IMDb 7.8 suggests solid entertainment value for adults who enjoy this genre
  • The social deduction format is intellectually engaging if you're into that sort of thing
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What to Watch For

  • This is 100% an adult show—the entire premise is lying and manipulation, which is not what you want kids modeling
  • The psychological tension and gaslighting dynamics can be intense, even for mature viewers
  • Zero educational value for children; the 'skills' being rewarded are deception and betrayal
  • If you have teens who want to watch, be ready for conversations about when deception is acceptable (spoiler: in games only)

Conversation Starters

  • "Why do you think people are good or bad at lying? What gives someone away?"
  • "Would you be a good Traitor or would you crack under pressure?"
  • "Is it ethical to lie in a game where everyone knows lying is part of it?"
  • "What strategies would you use if you were playing—trust building or chaos?"
  • "How does this compare to Among Us or other social deduction games you've played?"
Stills
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