Andor Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide

Is Andor safe for kids? Is Andor OK for children? Read the Star Wars: Andor Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide and mom review to the all-new 12-episode Lucasfilm Star Wars television series starring Diego Luna as Cassian Andor, streaming exclusively on Disney+. No spoilers! #Andor May contain commissioned links.

Andor Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide

Confession, Rogue One is my favorite Star Wars film of recent years. While deeply tragic and emotional, this Titanic-sized story truly encapsulated decades of Star Wars fandom for me. When word got around that a Rogue One prequel television series was on the horizon, my heart was immediately conflicted.

On one hand, you want the series to do well – to really build on the audience’s connection to Cassian and rekindle that Rogue One spark of inspiration and rebellion hope. On the other hand, if the series tanks (ahem, Obi-Wan Kenobi and The Book of Boba Fett), I truly feel Andor will overall cheapen what is single-handedly the best Star Wars sequel since the original trilogy.

In this Andor Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full TV-14 age rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is suggested to watch the new Andor parents guide to the series. A no-spoiler parent review of Star Wars: Andor, how does this 2022 series compare to the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story film? Will this Star Wars series spark the rebellion or an Obi-Wan sized crash landing?

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The Visuals

As far as Star Wars origin stories go, Andor visually fits right into the Star Wars universe, squeezed between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Rogue One. With a little more CGI assist than Obi-Wan and an overall darker visual theme for Cassian’s rebellious past, Andor explores planets, places and people groups that are somewhat familiar to Star Wars fans, but this time with a new Empire twist. Along with a few new characters and new Star Wars creatures, Andor visually is a Star Wars landscape that fans will appreciate and embrace.

Photosensitivity Warning. For viewers prone to epilepsy and photosensitivity, viewers be warned that there are multiple episodes in Star Wars: Andor that have flashing and strobing lights and special effects that may be triggering for some. Very similar to other Star Wars films and shows, use of sci-fi flashing guns and lightsaber fight sequences also present.

The Story

Diego Luna reprises his starring role as Cassian Andor in this original Star Wars origin prequel. Star Wars: Andor is created by Tony Gilroy (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story“) with episodes blocks directed by Toby Haynes (“Brexit“) for episodes 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, Susanna White (“Parade’s End“) for episodes 4, 5, 6 and Benjamin Caron (“Sherlock”) for episodes 7, 11, 12. Co-starring Stellan Skarsgård (“Thor: Love and Thunder“) as Luthen Rael, Genevieve O’Reilly (“Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith“) as Mon Mothma, Adria Arjona (“Morbius“) as Bix Caleen, Denise Gough (“Too Close“) as Dedra Meero, Kyle Soller (“Poldark“) as Syril, Fiona Shaw (“Harry Potter“) as Maarva, and Faye Marsay (“Game of Thrones“) as well as some other familiar Star Wars faces.

Labeled as a spy thriller series taking place 5 years before Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Andor follows the early days of the Empire and the birth of the Rebellion through the eyes of Cassian Andor. This 12-episode season slowly reveals Cassian Andor’s origin story, with the impossible choices, danger and political unrest on his path to becoming a rebel hero.

Featuring Star Wars Easter Eggs, cameos and flawed characters, the audience connects with Cassian Andor on a deeper, more personal Star Wars level – on his desperate and dangerous journey towards redemption. Light on humor and deep in story roots, Andor would be considered a serious, action-packed Bourne-like series on the Star Wars universe spectrum. More rugged, deceptive, and intense, this Star Wars story is not Jedi-pristine, but ruthless and dirty.

A 3-episode premiere is certainly the right move here. With erratic episode lengths, changing directors and a slower story build (episode 2, I’m talking to you), Andor’s beginning pains are certainly dragged out as the origin stories and new characters are established. Get past episode 2 for a truer feel of how the series will unfold.

One can only hope that the intensity and emotion continues to build to reach “Rogue One” levels instead of an Obi-Wan Kenobi series letdown. But with 2/3 of the series left to release, Andor could really go either way. But with enough intrigue into the Empire, the past and Andor’s journey to have us holding our breaths for Wednesday’s new episode release, I’m really rooting for Andor to be a Star Wars streaming series success.

Andor TV-14 Rating Explained

Is Andor safe for kids? Well that TV-14 age rating certainly has perked my mom radar. It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings (um hello, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker not disclosing any language??). And as we know, not all TV age ratings are the same.

Following a controversial TV-14 rated Obi-Wan Kenobi series release, I wonder if the Andor series will follow more of an old-school Star Wars movie PG rating, an on-par equal Rogue One PG-13 rating, a new school Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker PG-13 rating, or surprise families with a rating that leaves parents more than skeptical. And with Disney+ streaming easily accessible to children, should parents be worried?

Why is Andor rated TV-14? In this Andor Review | Safe for Kids, the 12 episode Star Wars television series has a TV rating of TV-14 for “violence and language.” Is Andor as intense as Rogue One, on par with Obi-Wan Kenobi, or is this new Star Wars show something else entirely? Let’s breakdown that TV age rating in this Andor parents guide. *Please note, this TV-14 LV rating breakdown is strictly for the episode one, episode two, episode three and episode four only.

Violence. Star Wars: Andor is a little more intense than the usual “Star Wars violence” level – with the most suspense of a Star Wars series. Featuring use of weapons such as guns, daggers, and other blunt instruments as well as hand-to-hand fighting, Andor is considerably more bloody and gory than the current Star Wars films. Bloodied wounds, bruising, kill shots, dead bodies (including children and close-ups of faces), mild suspense and intense fighting shown in each of the episodes. I would categorize Andor violence on par with the intense scenes in the Harry Potter movie series.

Language. Well, Andor is NOT old-school Star Wars when it comes to bad language. For episodes 1-4, we get multiple uses of swear words including: “b@stards,”, “sh!t,” “@ss,” “h-e-double-hockey-sticks” and “crap.”

Mild insults and phrases include “shut up” and “Oh g-d.” Overall, mild language per episode, about 2-3 instances per series episode. But sad to see that Andor follows more of the “new school” Star Wars dialect in terms of foul language use for the characters.

Adult Themes. Alcohol consumption is a common theme in Andor. Multiple episodes and scenes shot in bars, drinking alcoholic beverages in glasses and flasks, and characters acting under the influence of alcohol.

More concerning for parents, Andor is one of the first Star Wars series to feature sexual content. While overall mild and nothing “seen” on screen, Episode 2 does feature an inferred overnight stay between a couple with a deep kissing scene (deeper than a Han and Leia kiss), and a woman pulling on her pants (flash of underwear shown) in bed. Discussion of and scenes taking place in a “brothel,” with mild flirting, provocative clothing and sexy dancing also occurs in Episode 1. ***Andor’s TV-14 rating does NOT disclose suggestive content.

Episode 5 Review Update | 43 minutes – Mild overall, but character building is playing a key role in this episode. One swear word use of “@ss.” Also mild adult theme references to 2 adults “sharing a blanket.”

Episode 6 Review Update | 50 minutes – Intense episode as action ramps up. Violence is Star Wars level of intensity, with use of weapons, fighting, mild injuries, and kill shots. No gore, but definitely some medical implementation and needles seen in this episode that may be squeamish for some. Two language references of “d@mn” and “b@stard.” Mild adult themes of hand touching and gambling.

Episode 7 Review Update | 50 minutes – Probably the most mild episode so far. Action and suspense die down as this anti-climatic episode brings Cassian back to his reality. Mild themes all around. Choking scene and weapons brandished and seen in scenes. No other violence. Mild adult themes of lady waking up in bed with only a blanket covering. No nudity seen, but inferred. No language present. Overall, a letdown episode after episodes 5 and 6.

Episode 8 Review Update | 53 minutes – Slow episode, but you can feel the tension building for the finale. No profanity or bad language. Violence includes mild torture, use of weapons, restraints. Adult themes include alcohol/bar scene, men with bare chests, inferred consensual adult relationship discussed.

Episode 9 Review Update | 47 minutes – Tension building episode. No language. Medical equipment use that may make some squeamish. Death occurrence. No other violence, suspense or adult themes present.

Episode 10 Review Update | 43 minutes – Ah, here’s the Rogue One passion and intensity that I was looking for. Another climactic episode for Andor. “Star Wars” level of violence present, with use of weapons, hand-to-hand fighting, and death. No adult themes. One profane language use of the word “d@mned.” Otherwise, a pretty clean episode, though one of the better action-filled episodes of the series.

Episode 11 Review Update | 43 minutes – Mild drinking and death. No language. I keep waiting for a climactic ending – but perhaps the finale will encompass all?

Finale Episode 12 Review Update | 54 minutes – I wish I could say that the finale was “worth” the 12 episodes we just finished. However, after I finished watching I could only shake my head and say “that’s it.” Pretty anti-climactic after episode 6 and 10. One language use “b@stards.”

Andor Age Rating for Kids

The Overall

I also confess, I’m more of a Jyn Erso fan than a Cassian Andor fan. Rogue One fans, this is the “serious” Star Wars series you’re looking for. A darker, deceptive, more mature Star Wars show that feeds off of the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story fandom, Cassian Andor’s origin story has the opportunity to spark hope into Star Wars lovers on yet another rebellious journey of good versus evil. While I’m not completely drawn into Cassian Andor’s past (let’s hope that changes here in future episodes), I am enjoying a peek into the fledging beginnings of the Empire rule and the affect on the people and planets, specifically between Revenge of the Sith and Rogue One time periods.

No end credit scenes in Andor so far. But with 8 more episodes remaining – the possibility is there. Here’s to hoping that Diego Luna’s return to Andor proves to be a smarter fan service, and not another Obi-Wan or Boba Fett gloss over. But the odds may not be in his favor.

Follow Andor on social media:

• Website: https://ondisneyplus.disney.com/show/andor
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndorOfficial
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/andorofficial
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AndorOfficial/
• #Andor

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Andor, a three episode premiere of the 2022 original live action Star Wars television series streams on Wednesday September 21, 2022, exclusively on Disney+. Will your family be watching?

I was invited to screening the first four episodes of Andor in exchange for this Andor Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of Disney/Star Wars. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!