Love and Death Parental Guidance Review and Ratings. Get information on age appropriateness, potentially objectionable content, positive messages, cast overview, and overall suitability for children and families.
- VERDICT: Love & Death is a TV-MA series and contains explicit sexual content, nudity, violence, profanity, and mature themes. The depictions of a true gruesome crime may be unsettling for some viewers. Parental guidance is strongly advised, and the series is not recommended for children and young teenagers.
- Release date: April 27, 2023
- Director: Lesli Linka Glatter; Clark Johnson
- Writer: Jeff Russo
- Stars: Elizabeth Olsen, Lily Rabe, Jesse Plemons.
- Genre: Crime drama
Love and Death
Love & Death is a 2023 American true crime miniseries created by David E. Kelley, starring Elizabeth Olsen as Candy Montgomery, a housewife who finds herself embroiled in a love triangle that leads to murder. The series also stars Lily Rabe, Jesse Plemons, and Tom Pelphrey.
The series received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for Olsen’s performance, the supporting cast, and the suspenseful plot. However, some critics found the series to be too slow-paced and to focus too much on the domestic details of Candy’s life rather than on the crime itself.
Nevertheless, Love & Death is a well-made and suspenseful true crime miniseries that offers a fresh take on a familiar story. Olsen gives a tour-de-force performance as Candy Montgomery, and the supporting cast is also excellent.
The series is not without its flaws, but it is ultimately an entertaining and thought-provoking watch.
Be that as it may, let’s explore the suitability of the series, Love & Death for your family. Let’s dive in.
Age Rating
Love & Death is rated TV-MA, which means it is intended for mature audiences and may not be suitable for children under the age of 17 without parental guidance.
Potentially Objectionable Content
Sex & Nudity
The series contains explicit sexual content and nudity:
- Female breast and buttock nudity is displayed during a shower scene.
- Several scenes depict a man and woman engaging in sxxual intercourse, with lots of bare skin displayed.
- There is one brief mild scene where a side view of breast and butt is visible in a prison shower.
Profanity
The use of profanity in Love & Death is mild.
Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking
The consumption of alcohol and smoking are depicted in the series:
- Allan and Candy always drink wine during their trysts.
- A few characters, including Candy and Pastor Jackie, smoke cigarettes.
Violence & Gore
The show revolves around adultery and a true gruesome crime. Some scenes contain violent and gory content:
- Bloody images are shown after Betty is killed with a pickaxe.
- A woman is killed with the use of an ax, resulting in blood and gore being shown.
- The axe murder of Betty Gore is incredibly grotesque and graphic.
Frightening & Intense Scenes
The axe murder of Betty Gore may be too unsettling for some viewers. The series contains lots of gory violence, and even the very opening scene is full of killings, which were based on real events.
Positive Messages
Love & Death is a series that delves into complex themes and real-life events.
While it portrays a gruesome crime, it also explores the consequences of adultery and the impact it has on individuals and communities.
It serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty, fidelity, and the devastating effects of betrayal.
Cast Overview
The series features a talented cast, including:
- Elizabeth Olsen as Candy Montgomery
- Jesse Plemons as Allan Gore
- Lily Rabe as Betty Gore
- Patrick Fugit as Pat Montgomery
Overall Suitability for Children and Families
Love & Death is a TV-MA series that contains explicit sexual content, nudity, mild profanity, depictions of alcohol consumption and smoking, violent and gory scenes, and unsettling moments.
Considering the mature themes and graphic nature of the series, it is not suitable for children or young teenagers. Parental guidance is strongly advised for viewers aged 17 and below.
What You Should Know
1. Is Love & Death suitable for children?
No, Love & Death is not suitable for children. It is rated TV-MA and contains explicit sexual content, nudity, violence, profanity, and mature themes. Parental guidance is strongly advised.
2. What is the age rating for Love & Death?
Love & Death is rated TV-MA, which means it is intended for mature audiences and may not be suitable for children under the age of 17 without parental guidance.
3. What objectionable content should parents be aware of?
Parents should be aware of explicit sexual content, nudity, profanity, violence, and depictions of alcohol consumption and smoking in Love & Death. The series explores mature themes and contains graphic scenes related to a true crime story.
4. Are there positive messages in Love & Death?
While Love & Death revolves around a gruesome crime and explores adultery, it also raises important themes such as honesty, fidelity, and the consequences of betrayal. It can prompt discussions about the importance of ethical behavior and the impact of choices.
5. What is the purpose of the nudity and sexual content in the series?
The nudity and sexual content in Love & Death are used to depict the intimate relationships and the consequences of adultery. They contribute to the overall portrayal of the characters’ lives and the impact of their actions.
6. How can parents approach discussions about the series with their children?
Parents can approach discussions about Love & Death by watching the series in advance to assess its content and suitability for their children. Engaging in open and honest conversations about relationships, fidelity, and the consequences of actions depicted in the series can help children navigate the themes presented.
7. Are there any positive role models in the series?
The characters in Love & Death are complex and flawed. While some characters make questionable choices, there are opportunities for discussions about the consequences of those choices and the importance of ethical behavior.
8. Is there excessive violence in the series?
Love & Death contains scenes of violence and gore, particularly surrounding the true crime story it is based on. There are depictions of a pickaxe murder and an axe murder, which may be unsettling for some viewers.
9. Can teenagers watch Love & Death with parental guidance?
Teenagers aged 17 and above can watch Love & Death with parental guidance. However, parents should consider the maturity level of their teenagers and be prepared to engage in discussions about the mature themes and content presented in the series.
10. Does Love & Death provide any educational value?
Love & Death is a fictionalized retelling of a true crime story. While it may not have direct educational value, it can spark conversations about real-life events, the impact of adultery, and the consequences of one’s actions.
11. Can parents use Love & Death as a starting point for important conversations?
Yes, Love & Death can be used as a starting point for conversations about fidelity, trust, honesty, and the impact of choices. It presents an opportunity for parents to discuss moral and ethical values with their children.
12. Are there any scenes that are particularly intense or unsettling?
The axe murder of Betty Gore depicted in Love & Death is particularly intense and may be unsettling for some viewers. The series contains a significant amount of gory violence, including the very opening scene, which is based on real events.
Tips for Parents
Here are some tips to help you navigate the content of Love & Death with your children:
- Watch the series in advance to assess whether it aligns with your family’s values and your child’s maturity level.
- Engage in open and honest conversations with your children about relationships, fidelity, and the consequences of actions depicted in the series.
- Establish guidelines regarding media consumption and ensure your children understand the importance of age-appropriate content.
- Encourage critical thinking and empathy by discussing the choices and motivations of the characters in the series.
- Be available for your children to address any questions or concerns they may have while watching the series.
The Verdict
Considering the explicit sexual content, nudity, profanity, depiction of alcohol consumption and smoking, violent and gory scenes, and unsettling moments, Love & Death is not suitable for children and young teenagers. Parental guidance is strongly advised for viewers aged 17 and below. It is important for parents to assess the maturity level of their children and make an informed decision regarding their exposure to this series.