Wicked Game: Devil in the Desert – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Wicked Game: Devil in the Desert

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2025

20%

WISE Score

IMDb

Brutal true crime doc about kidnapping and torture—this is dark, adult-only content that's absolutely not for kids.

7/10

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Wicked Game: Devil in the Desert

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NR, 2025

20%

WISE Score

IMDb

Brutal true crime doc about kidnapping and torture—this is dark, adult-only content that's absolutely not for kids.

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is a true crime documentary for adults who specifically seek out dark, violent content. It's not trying to be family-friendly, and it shouldn't be.

The case itself sounds genuinely complex—kidnapping, obsession, marijuana legalization politics—and reviewers say it's well-paced with real twists. The 7/10 IMDb rating suggests it delivers for true crime fans.

But Common Sense Media explicitly warns about 'extreme torture' descriptions, and the IMDb parent guide flags violence, gore, and frightening scenes. This isn't background-watchable or accidentally-stumble-upon-it content.

If you're an adult who enjoys grim true crime and can handle graphic violence descriptions, go for it. But keep this one far away from kids, teens, and honestly anyone who doesn't actively choose dark content. The low WISE score reflects that this is absolutely not appropriate for family viewing—it's niche adult entertainment.

Age Fit

This is strictly for adults 18+. Even the Common Sense Media age of 15 feels low given the extreme torture descriptions. If you're into dark true crime and can handle graphic content, this might work. But this is not remotely appropriate for teens or anyone who finds violence disturbing.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a true crime documentary featuring extreme torture, violent kidnapping, and disturbing content throughout. Common Sense Media explicitly warns of 'intense and disturbing descriptions of violence, including extreme torture.' Nothing wholesome about this—it's designed for adult audiences interested in dark criminal cases.

Imaginative

As a documentary, it unravels a complex real-world case with twists and turns during marijuana legalization's early days. The investigation itself shows creative detective work and reveals an obsessive criminal mind, but it's not imaginative in the creative-expression sense—it's just well-structured true crime storytelling.

Safe

Absolutely not safe for kids. Common Sense Media rates it 15+, citing extreme torture descriptions and violent content. IMDb parent guide flags violence, gore, and frightening scenes. This has all the trigger warnings: graphic violence descriptions, kidnapping trauma, torture details. For adults only.

Enriching

For mature viewers interested in criminal justice, it offers insight into investigative work, the psychology of obsession, and the early marijuana legalization landscape. Well-paced (3 episodes, no dull moments per reviews) and complex. But it's enriching only in the 'understand dark human behavior' way, not in any uplifting sense.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Well-paced 3-part series with no dull moments, according to viewers who binged it
Complex case with genuine twists and turns—not your standard true crime formula
Explores the intersection of criminal obsession and early marijuana legalization politics
Strong 7/10 IMDb rating suggests true crime fans find it compelling

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What to Watch For

Extreme torture descriptions and graphic violence throughout—Common Sense Media specifically warns about this
Disturbing kidnapping details that are intense even for seasoned true crime viewers
Some reviewers found it hard to get into despite the compelling case
This is trauma-heavy content that requires emotional bandwidth

Conversation Starters

"This is adults-only content—not appropriate for family viewing or discussion with kids"

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