Unsolved Mysteries
By Joyce Slaton,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Worthy revamp of true crime mystery show has some violence.
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Unsolved Mysteries
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Based on 2 parent reviews
good but intense and sometimes scary show
ok, so this show is really good but I think you should be about 14/15 years old to watch. violence 4/5 in a few episodes you see some crime scene photos( no injuries really shown ) in one episode you see a skull in a crime scene photo and in another photo you see a dead woman who got shot in the head but nothing graphic. you get descriptions which are really intense and the music is also intense. in one episode you hear about a father that killed his whole family and in most you here about dead bodies. in one episode you here about aliens and ufos. actors reinact scenes that can be intense but no violence other then people firing guns. in one episodes you hear about a mother that killed her husband and possibly her child and that one is kinda disturbing. you hear about rape and sexual violence like in an episode you hear about a sex offender. the music in the show is creepy. there are talks about hate crimes and racism. sex 2/5 talk about adultery and sexual violence. in an episode a woman says that man gets “too friendly” at a party language3/5 not much language in almost any episodes but one has the f word and sh word. I haven’t watched the 3 rd season yet ( which is 18s ) all the episodes are 15s except season 3. this show is great and you should be 14/15 to watch if you like creepy shows. the most disturbing thing is that the mysteries are unsolved so the crime or mystery is a mystery.
10+
What's the Story?
A revamp of the original Robert Stack-hosted series that ran from 1987 to 2002, UNSOLVED MYSTERIES delves into curious cases of missing people and the supernatural, with each episode focusing on a different baffling case. Stories tackled include the puzzling suicide (or is it?) of Baltimore's Rey Rivera, the ultimate fate of Xavier DuPont de Ligonnes, the French man who disappeared after his entire family was murdered, and the series of UFO sightings in Massachussetts' Berkshires region in the late 1960s.
Is It Any Good?
This worthy revamp of the beloved true-crime-meets-the-paranormal series ditches the original's cheesy reenactments but retains its focus on tantalizing mysteries viewers are invited to help solve. Back in 1987 when the original premiered, true crime was a fledgling genre; now, of course, it's a media staple, with entire TV networks dedicated to awful deeds and curious happenstances, dozens of shows on both TV and streaming networks, and dozens upon dozens of popular podcasts (including one from the show's creators). But what the new Unsolved Mysteries lacks in freshness, it delivers in sophisticated storytelling. Gauzy, tawdry reenactments were a staple of the first series, but the remake wisely leaves them behind in favor of focusing on taut storytelling, bringing together interviews with bereaved family members and friends with news footage, and segments filmed especially for the show that examine some of the weirder aspects of the cases it delves into.
Speaking of said cases, they're heavy on murders and missing-persons, light on the type of Bigfoot/Bermuda triangle/divine miracles fare that the first series clung to, a good news/bad news scenario. Good, the new Unsolved Mysteries has discarded the air of trashiness that clung to the original; bad, it's not as much of a dumb guilty pleasure. In fact, honing in as it does on many cases in which those affected are still alive to tell their sad stories, it can be a bit depressing -- watching a grieving mom and widow cry over the supposed suicide of a loved one is few people's idea of fun. Still, its thoughtful storytelling, crisp visuals, and the compelling invitation at the end of each episode to viewers with information to offer (there's a companion web site ready to receive tips), this version makes for grabby viewing, particular for armchair sleuths.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the media's relationship with crime. Is there a rush to report sensational stories before all the facts are evident? What effect can TV coverage have on how justice is carried out? When is it appropriate to ask the public to help find clues to a crime? How do you think law enforcement officials follow up on the leads generated by the show?
Does Unsolved Mysteries make you feel any empathy for the people in the cases it covers? Is it supposed to? How does the show signal you who to feel for? Are criminal suspects treated the same by the show as those who have lost friends or family members?
Do reality shows like this one teach viewers anything about personal safety? Is it necessary to focus on violent crimes in order to impart these lessons? Does the show treat the cases it covers delicately, or is it graphic and offensive? Is the focus and vibe different than the original series? How?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 1, 2020
- Cast: Pistol Black , Jane Green , Anne-Sophie Martin
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 27, 2022
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