FUBAR Season 2 (2025) Parents Guide

FUBAR Season 2 is rated TV-MA due to frequent strong language, intense violence, sexual references, and mature themes

If you’d told me a couple of years ago that Arnold Schwarzenegger’s return to TV—yes, TV!—would be one of the most entertaining rides on Netflix, I’d have chuckled politely and moved on. But here we are. FUBAR Season 2 is back, bigger, messier, and somehow even more self-aware than the first round. It’s like someone dumped True Lies, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and an awkward family reunion into a blender—and to my surprise, it works. Well, mostly.

Season 1 had a fun premise but often felt like a first draft of something better. Season 2? It takes the same chaotic ingredients and finally figures out the recipe. It’s funnier, faster, and surprisingly heartfelt. And yes, Arnold still delivers one-liners with the kind of aging swagger that makes you forget you’re watching a septuagenarian drag an entire CIA operation on his back.

The Story & What It Tries to Say

The plot picks up right where we left off: Luke Brunner (Schwarzenegger), the seasoned CIA operative who spent most of Season 1 hiding his double life from his daughter Emma (Monica Barbaro), is now stuck in a brand-new nightmare—everyone knows everything. The family secrets are out, the spy gig is exposed, and now this dysfunctional dad-daughter duo is in full-blown, chaotic team-up mode.

But just as they’re adjusting to their new normal (which includes post-mission therapy, awkward office dynamics, and Emma being very much the boss now), the past kicks in the door—literally. Enter Greta Nelso (Carrie-Anne Moss), Luke’s ex-wife and a legendary East German spy. She’s got a mission, a grudge, and a lot of old emotional baggage. And just like that, the stakes are back on, and the Brunners are dragged into a whirlwind of international espionage, backstabbing, and unresolved family drama.

On the surface, it’s a typical action-spy plot: stop the villain, save the world, banter while doing it. But dig a little deeper, and FUBAR is really about something surprisingly earnest: how we inherit (and sometimes weaponize) dysfunction. The show isn’t subtle—it hits you with its themes like a flying briefcase—but the core emotional current lands. It asks: how do you reconcile being a terrible parent with wanting to be a good one now? And how much of your mess are your kids willing to clean up?

Performances & Characters

Arnold is having a blast—and it shows. He’s fully leaning into the “grumpy old spy” routine, but what makes it work is that he’s in on the joke. He’s not trying to reclaim his 80s glory days; he’s playing an aging man with glory days, now trying to function in a world that’s moved on. It’s kind of touching… and also hilarious.

Monica Barbaro continues to be the show’s MVP. Her Emma is sharp, sardonic, and the perfect counterweight to her dad’s meathead charm. She brings both action chops and genuine emotion to the role, making her feel like a true co-lead, not just “the daughter.”

But let’s talk about the season’s real curveball: Carrie-Anne Moss. Her introduction as Greta is a masterstroke. She brings edge, mystery, and a sense of danger that was missing from the first season. She’s not just here to stir up romantic tension—though that’s deliciously awkward—she’s here to remind everyone that she was Trinity, and she hasn’t lost a step. The chemistry between her and Arnold is electric in that “I could kill you or kiss you” way that keeps you leaning in.

The supporting cast continues to deliver. Fortune Feimster as Roo is the comic relief MVP, and Travis Van Winkle as Aldon brings just enough overconfident bravado to make his arc feel earned. Even the tech team, often overlooked in spy stories, gets moments of unexpected depth.

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Direction, Visuals & Pacing

Nick Santora’s vision for the series is clear now: blend spy thrills with family sitcom chaos, and throw in a grenade or two for flavor. It shouldn’t work, but thanks to a snappy visual style and confident direction from returning talent like Phil Abraham, it kind of slaps.

The pacing is miles better than Season 1. Episodes don’t linger—they sprint. Action scenes are slickly choreographed and surprisingly creative. A standout sequence involves a faux-wedding shootout that turns into a literal dance of death, with Greta and Luke moving like old ballroom rivals who know exactly where to stab.

The cinematography is clean, stylish, and surprisingly colorful for a spy series. Tonally, it doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it still feels like a real show, not a parody. It’s this balancing act—sincerity wrapped in silliness—that keeps FUBAR from collapsing under its own absurdity.

Let’s be honest: the spy-action genre is saturated. But FUBAR finds its lane by emphasizing dysfunction over slickness. Sure, you’ve got the car chases, the exotic locations, and the occasional MacGuffin. But the real juice is in the domestic chaos.

The therapy sessions—yes, actual therapy for spies—are hilarious and painfully relatable. The scenes of Luke trying to give dating advice to his daughter while hiding a semi-automatic rifle? Peak dad comedy. And the action? It’s not Bourne-level gritty, but it’s big, fun, and explosively satisfying. Think more Red than Jack Ryan.

If you’re here for classic Schwarzenegger quips, you’re in luck. One moment, he’s blowing up a warehouse; the next, he’s telling someone, “You can’t ghost a ghost protocol.” Dumb? Yes. Did I laugh out loud? Also yes.

FUBAR Season 2 (2025) Parents Guide

Violence & Action: This is a spy show, and it plays hard in the action sandbox. There’s a steady stream of shootouts, hand-to-hand combat, and the occasional explosion that would make Michael Bay nod in approval. People die, yes, but it’s rarely grotesque. You’ll see bodies drop, blood spray here and there, and a few gnarly injuries—enough to remind you this is a world where bullets matter, but not so graphic that it veers into torture-porn territory.

Still, it’s not cartoonish. When the action hits, it hits. A climactic fight in a faux-wedding setting is particularly intense—stylized, yes, but visceral. If you’re sensitive to on-screen death or glorified violence, take note.

Language: The dialogue in FUBAR is sharp, fast, and unapologetically adult. Expect frequent use of strong language, including regular helpings of the f-word, s-word, and just about everything in between. It’s not just the villains tossing around expletives—our “heroes” are just as fluent in the salty arts.

It doesn’t feel excessive for the genre—this is a story about spies, lies, and high-stakes family dysfunction—but if you’re hoping for something your 12-year-old can watch during dinner, this ain’t it.

Sexual Content & Themes: FUBAR doesn’t dive into full-on steamy territory, but it definitely wades into adult waters. Characters flirt, reference past sexual relationships (including between Arnold’s Luke and Carrie-Anne Moss’s Greta), and there are a couple of scenes that imply intimacy. One character awkwardly navigates dating again post-divorce, and the show isn’t shy about making a few risqué jokes along the way.

There’s no explicit nudity, but you’ll get plenty of innuendo, cheeky comments, and some pretty suggestive situations. It’s played more for humor than titillation, but again—this is TV-MA for a reason.

Substance Use: Characters are seen drinking socially, occasionally at tense or celebratory moments. No one’s getting blackout drunk, but alcohol is a recurring presence. No drug use that stands out as graphic or glorified, though there’s the usual spy-world cocktail of cigarettes, cigars, and cocktails at debriefings.

So, Can Teens Watch It?

If your teen is older (16+), media-savvy, and already into shows like Jack Ryan or The Boys (minus the gore), FUBAR might be fine with a little parental discretion. But if you’re a parent who still screens content closely, be aware: this show earns its rating with adult humor, explosive action, and very grown-up themes.

Final Word for Parents

FUBAR Season 2 is a rough-and-tumble ride through espionage and emotional wreckage. It’s got heart, but it also drops f-bombs like confetti, cracks sex jokes without blinking, and blows things up just for the hell of it. It’s entertaining as hell—for adults. For kids? Probably best to keep this one locked behind a parental control pin.