Vikings – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Vikings

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2013

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Brutal, bloody, and beautifully shot—this is Game of Thrones meets History Channel, minus any pretense of being family-friendly.

8.5/10

93%

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Vikings

show

TV-MA, 2013

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Brutal, bloody, and beautifully shot—this is Game of Thrones meets History Channel, minus any pretense of being family-friendly.

8.5

93%

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8.5/10

93%

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Screenwise Verdict

Vikings is a well-made, gripping historical drama that absolutely earns its mature rating. The violence isn't just present—it's graphic, frequent, and central to the story. Add in sexual content and some genuinely disturbing moments (dead kids, casual brutality), and you've got a show that's strictly for older teens and adults.

That said, if your 16-year-old is into history, mythology, or just loves a good epic, this delivers. The first few seasons are genuinely excellent television with strong performances and compelling storytelling. It's not educational in a textbook sense, but it does spark curiosity about Viking culture and medieval history.

Just don't let the History Channel origins fool you—this is as brutal as premium cable gets. Have the conversation about content before hitting play, and maybe watch the first episode together so everyone knows what they're getting into.

Age Fit

This is firmly 16+ territory, maybe 15 for very mature teens who've already been exposed to intense content. Adults will find it engaging and binge-worthy. Definitely not for middle schoolers despite their protests about Game of Thrones.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Vikings is brutal, bloody, and morally complex. The show depicts graphic violence, rape, child death treated callously, and a world where betrayal and brutality are normalized. While it explores family bonds and loyalty, the overall tone is dark and visceral—not emotionally healthy for younger viewers.

Imaginative

The show transports viewers to a richly realized Viking world, blending historical elements with mythology and exploration. Ragnar's yearning to discover new lands drives a narrative full of adventure, political intrigue, and cultural clash. The production design and world-building are compelling, even if not historically accurate.

Safe

IMDb suggests an R-rating for 'graphic sequences of strong brutal bloody violence throughout including grisly images and rape, strong sexual content.' Common Sense Media rates it 15+. Web results confirm severe violence, moderate sexual content, dead children, and implied rape. This is absolutely not safe for younger viewers and full of surprise graphic content.

Enriching

Vikings offers insight into Norse culture, exploration, and the clash between pagan and Christian worlds. It raises questions about ambition, leadership, loyalty, and the cost of violence. The show is intellectually engaging for mature teens and adults who can process its moral complexity, though it's more entertainment than education.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Compelling historical drama that explores Viking culture, mythology, and the age of exploration with excellent production values
Ragnar Lothbrok is a complex, charismatic protagonist whose ambition and curiosity drive an engaging multi-season arc
Raises meaningful questions about leadership, loyalty, faith, and the costs of violence for older teens who can handle mature content
Strong ratings across the board (93% RT critics, 8.5 IMDb) suggest quality storytelling that keeps viewers hooked
For history-interested older teens and adults, it's an entertaining gateway to learning about Norse culture and medieval Europe

⚠

What to Watch For

Extremely graphic violence—we're talking beheadings, blood eagles, battlefield gore, and grisly torture scenes that are not implied but shown
Sexual content including rape scenes and frequent nudity that make this absolutely not suitable for family viewing
Child death is depicted and sometimes treated with disturbing casualness (one scene shows a kid finding a dead child and shrugging it off)
Morally complex characters who do terrible things—this isn't a show with clear heroes and villains, which can be confusing for younger viewers
The show runs six seasons and quality reportedly dips in later seasons, so manage expectations for the full run

Conversation Starters

"What do you think drove Ragnar to want to explore new lands instead of just raiding the same places?"
"How did the clash between Norse paganism and Christianity shape the conflicts in the show?"
"Do you think the show glorifies violence or shows the real costs of a warrior culture?"
"Which characters showed the most growth or change throughout the series, and why?"
"How accurate do you think the show is to actual Viking history, and does that matter for your enjoyment?"

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