You – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

You

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2018

22%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Binge-worthy stalker thriller that makes you root for a serial killer—which is exactly the problem if you're under 18.

7.6/10

89%

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You

show

TV-MA, 2018

22%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Binge-worthy stalker thriller that makes you root for a serial killer—which is exactly the problem if you're under 18.

7.6

89%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, You is well-made television. Penn Badgley is great, the writing is sharp, and it's genuinely suspenseful. The cultural commentary on social media stalking and digital privacy is relevant and smart.

But let's be clear: this is not for kids or even most teens. The show's entire hook is making you sympathize with a stalker-murderer while watching him commit brutal crimes. That's sophisticated psychological territory that requires a fully-formed adult brain to process without internalizing toxic relationship models.

Some parents see that 16+ rating and think their mature high schooler can handle it. Maybe. But honestly, this is 18+ content. The violence is graphic, the sexual content is explicit, and the moral complexity of 'likeable monster' storytelling is genuinely tricky.

For adults? It's a solid thriller with something to say about modern dating and digital culture. For your kids? Hard pass until they're actual adults.

Age Fit

This is adult content, full stop. Even though Common Sense Media says 16+, the psychological manipulation of rooting for a serial killer makes this better suited for 18+. If you're watching with an older teen (17-18), it needs to be with active discussion about the toxic behaviors depicted.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A psychological thriller centered on stalking, murder, and toxic obsession. The protagonist is a serial killer who justifies his violent actions through romanticized internal monologue. While the show critiques these behaviors, the narrative structure asks viewers to empathize with a deeply disturbed stalker-murderer. Contains graphic violence, sexual content, and models profoundly unhealthy relationship dynamics. Not emotionally healthy content for developing minds.

Imaginative

Clever use of unreliable narrator perspective and inner monologue creates an engaging psychological framework. The show subverts romantic comedy tropes by revealing the dark reality behind 'romantic' stalker behavior. Strong character study with creative narrative structure that plays with audience expectations. However, the imagination is deployed in service of disturbing content rather than constructive creativity.

Safe

Extremely unsafe for younger audiences. Common Sense Media rates it 16+ for good reason: brutal, bloody murders; graphic violence; sexual content and nudity; stalking as a central theme; substance use. IMDb parents guide confirms 'not appropriate for younger audiences.' This is mature adult content with significant trigger warnings around violence, obsession, and sexual assault themes. No surprises here—it's marketed as dark psychological thriller—but absolutely not safe for kids.

Enriching

Does offer legitimate commentary on social media culture, privacy in the digital age, and the dangerous romanticization of stalker behavior in media. The show can spark discussions about red flags in relationships, consent, and the gap between social media personas and reality. However, the entertainment value comes from watching a serial killer, which limits its enriching qualities. More cautionary tale than growth opportunity, and only appropriate for mature viewers who can process these themes critically.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Sharp commentary on social media culture, digital privacy, and how we curate our online personas vs. reality
Subverts romantic comedy tropes by showing the terrifying reality behind 'charming' stalker behavior that's often romanticized in media
Penn Badgley's performance is genuinely compelling—he makes a monster feel human without excusing his actions
Can spark important conversations about red flags in relationships, consent, and what healthy love actually looks like
High production value and genuinely suspenseful storytelling that keeps you watching (maybe too effectively)

⚠

What to Watch For

Graphic violence including brutal murders, blood, and disturbing death scenes throughout the series
Sexual content, nudity, and scenes depicting sexual assault—not just implied, but shown
The entire premise asks you to empathize with a stalker-murderer, which is psychologically complex and potentially damaging for developing brains
Despite the 16+ rating from Common Sense Media, this is really 18+ content—even mature teens shouldn't be processing 'likeable serial killer' narratives
May normalize surveillance behavior, jealousy, and obsessive 'love' that crosses every healthy boundary

Conversation Starters

"What red flags did you notice in Joe's behavior that people around him missed or excused?"
"How does the show make you feel sympathetic toward Joe even when he's doing horrible things? What techniques does it use?"
"Let's talk about the difference between the romantic gestures in rom-coms versus what Joe does—where's the line between sweet and stalking?"
"How much of our lives do we share online, and what could someone learn about us just from our social media?"
"What does healthy love and attraction actually look like compared to Joe's obsession?"

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