Shadow and Bone on Netflix: What Parents Need to Know

Shadow and Bone, a Netflix original series, will be available to stream beginning April 23, 2021.  A fantasy and adventure series based on a young adult series, is it appropriate for kids, tweens and teens?  I’m answering that question and more in my spoiler free Shadow and Bone parents guide.  With a TV-MA rating that includes sexual content, some language and excessive violence, here’s what parents need to know about Shadow and Bone on Netflix.

Shadow and Bone on Netflix: What Parents Need to Know

In the series, Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei) is a mapmaker who discovers that she is a Grisha.  You may be asking – what is a Grisha?  They are humans who have the ability to use “Small Science” to manipulate objects around them.  They aren’t magicians, wizards or witches but some of them are “Heartrenders” (with the ability to slow down someone’s heartbeat) and “Tailors” (with the ability to heal).  Alina is a Sun Summoner and is particularly unique for reasons revealed in the series.  And while Alina is the main character in the series, other characters include Mal Oresev (Archie Renaux), Kaz Brekker (Freddy Carter), Inej Ghafa (Amita Suman), Jesper Fahey (Kit Young), and General Kirigan (Ben Barnes).    My overall thoughts about the Netflix series are listed below.  But first, here’s a parents guide to help you decide whether or not the Netflix series is appropriate for kids, tweens, and teens.

Why is Shadow and Bone Rated MA?

A TV-MA rating is usually reserved for TV shows which are suitable for adults and generally not suited for those under 17 years of age.   The Shadow and Bone Netflix age rating is MA because it has a lot of mature content, such as references to slavery and human trafficking, not to mention excessive violence, language and sexual content.  More about all that below.  

Language

There is some profanity, but overall, it’s minimal.  Characters say words like “ba**ard,” “d*mn,” and t*ts.”  The profanity isn’t off the charts, unlike another fantasy series on Netflix, The Witcher.

Sexual Content

Are there sex scenes and nudity in Shadow and Bone?  Yes and no.  One character’s naked behind is shown.  Other than that, there really isn’t any nudity, unlike Bridgerton.  However, while the sexual content isn’t graphic, it is implied.  The are a few scenes involving one character and his sexual exploitations, and viewers can assume sex is involved.  There’s also a reference to another character being raped repeatedly off screen. And another character asks another character if he wants to “take a tumble.”  

Violence

There is a lot of graphic violence in this Netflix series. A lot.  This series definitely isn’t for the faint at heart.  It’s the primary reason why the series is rated MA.   For example, bodies are slashed in half and heads are decapitated.  Even I had to close my eyes during some of the scenes.  There are also scenes involving injuries to animals, which is particularly difficult for me to see.  Weapons like guns, knives, and arrows are used and there are several action sequences.  Jesper, especially, is quite the sharpshooter and Inej is lethal with throwing knives.  

Overall Thoughts

I didn’t read the books that the series is based on so I thought that the first episodes were rather slow and extremely confusing.  I had no idea what was going on.  But I’m glad I stuck with it (and put on the subtitles) because after the first two episodes, I was hooked.  I enjoy fantasy adventure series like Cursed, so this was right up my alley.  It also reminded me somewhat of Twilight, but without the vampires and werewolves.  With that being said, this is a series that I’m glad I watched without my son being present.  As always, you’ll want to use your discretion. 

As for me, I hope there is a second season because I feel invested in these characters now, especially Kaz, Inej, and Jesper!

About Shadow and Bone

Based on Leigh Bardugo’s worldwide bestselling Grishaverse novels, Shadow and Bone finds us in a war-torn world where lowly soldier and orphan Alina Starkov has just unleashed an extraordinary power that could be the key to setting her country free. With the monstrous threat of the Shadow Fold looming, Alina is torn from everything she knows to train as part of an elite army of magical soldiers known as Grisha. But as she struggles to hone her power, she finds that allies and enemies can be one and the same and that nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. There are dangerous forces at play, including a crew of charismatic criminals, and it will take more than magic to survive. Shadow and Bone is a Netflix production from 21 Laps Entertainment, starring Jessie Mei Li (Alina Starkov), Archie Renaux (Malyen Oretsev), Freddy Carter (Kaz Brekker), Amita Suman (Inej), Kit Young (Jesper Fahey), and Ben Barnes (General Kirigan).