Is the show historically accurate?

It's 'Hollywood accurate.' It gets the big stuff right—like the existence of the four racing factions and the transition of power under Vespasian—but it prioritizes drama and spectacle over textbook facts.

How much gore are we talking about?

A lot. Think severed limbs, animal attacks, and brutal chariot crashes. It's on par with shows like Game of Thrones or Spartacus.

Is it okay for a 15-year-old who loves history?

That's a parent's call, but the TV-MA rating is earned. Between the violence and the sexual content, it's definitely pushing the boundaries for most mid-teens.

Does Anthony Hopkins have a big role?

He's the Emperor, so he's the face of the show, but it's an ensemble cast. Don't expect him to be in every scene; the show spends a lot of time in the streets and the stables with the younger cast.

Those About to Die – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Those About to Die

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2024

35%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Gladiator meets Game of Thrones in this bloody, high-stakes look at the corrupt business of keeping the Roman masses entertained.

46%

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Those About to Die

show

TV-MA, 2024

35%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Gladiator meets Game of Thrones in this bloody, high-stakes look at the corrupt business of keeping the Roman masses entertained.

46%

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46%

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Screenwise Verdict

Those About to Die is a big, loud, and frequently messy historical epic. It tries to capture the prestige of Rome and the action of Gladiator, but it often lands somewhere in the middle—entertaining enough for a weekend binge, but not exactly a masterpiece.

If you're looking for a deep, historically accurate dive, this isn't it. But if you want to see chariot races and Anthony Hopkins looking disappointed in his heirs while Rome burns (metaphorically), it hits the spot. Just keep the kids far away from the remote for this one.

Age Fit

This is strictly for adults and older teens. The combination of visceral violence and sexual content makes it a non-starter for anyone under 17, and even then, it's for those who have the stomach for 'Spartacus' style grit.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a show centered on the 'bread and circuses' of Rome—meaning it's built on a foundation of exploitation, blood sports, and political corruption. It doesn't exactly model kindness or cooperation.

Imaginative

The scale is massive and the recreation of the Circus Maximus is visually impressive, even if the CGI occasionally feels a bit thin. It's a big-budget attempt to bring a specific historical era to life.

Safe

It is a hard TV-MA. Expect graphic gladiatorial violence, visceral chariot crashes, nudity, and the kind of 'adult' themes you'd find in a Roman-era soap opera. Definitely not for the younger crew.

Enriching

While it takes plenty of creative liberties, it does offer a window into the logistics of Roman entertainment and the social hierarchy of the time. It might spark an interest in actual history, provided you follow it up with a book.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Anthony Hopkins brings gravity to the screen as Emperor Vespasian, even if he's not in every scene.
The chariot racing sequences are genuinely tense and capture the chaotic energy of the ancient world's version of F1.
It dives into the logistics of the games, showing the business side of how gladiators and animals were sourced and managed.
Provides a gritty, unfiltered look at the social stratification of Rome, from the emperors down to the betting dens.

⚠

What to Watch For

The gore is frequent and explicit; gladiatorial combat doesn't shy away from the reality of sword-and-sandal wounds.
There is a fair amount of gratuitous nudity and sexual situations, typical for high-budget historical dramas on streaming.
The political maneuvering is dense; younger viewers (if they were even allowed to watch) would likely find the board-room-style Roman politics boring.
The CGI can be distractingly hit-or-miss, which might pull you out of the immersion during the bigger spectacle moments.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the Roman government spent so much money on 'bread and circuses' to keep the people happy?"
"How do modern professional sports compare to the gladiatorial games in terms of business and politics?"
"If you lived in Ancient Rome, which 'faction' or layer of society would you likely belong to, and why?"
"Is it possible for a leader to be 'good' while still participating in a system as corrupt as the one shown here?"

Deep Dive

Chariots, Corruption, and CGI

Directed by Roland Emmerich—the guy who loves destroying the world in movies like Independence Day—this show approaches Ancient Rome with that same 'bigger is better' mentality. It’s less about the poetry of the empire and more about the grit, the sweat, and the sheer volume of people it took to keep the Colosseum running.

While the critics weren't exactly kind (that 46% on Rotten Tomatoes hurts), the audience score suggests there's a real appetite for this kind of historical spectacle. It’s a 'more is more' production. You get the betting rings, the horse stables, the slave markets, and the imperial palace. It’s a sprawling ensemble, which is both a strength and a weakness; you don't always get enough time with the characters you actually like because the show is too busy jumping to the next conspiracy.

Compared to something like HBO’s Rome, this feels more like a 'popcorn' version of history. It’s flashy, it’s violent, and it’s clearly designed to keep you clicking 'Next Episode' on Peacock. If your teen is a history buff, they’ll find plenty to nitpick, but the sheer scale of the Circus Maximus recreation is worth a look if you can get past the occasionally wonky digital effects.

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