Is Moon Knight safe for kids? Is the new Marvel television series on Disney+ OK for children? Moon Knight Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parent guide to the Disney Plus streaming TV show. No spoilers! #MoonKnight May contain commissioned links.
Moon Knight Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide
Moon Knight who? Oh, you mean that new Marvel Poe Dameron show on Disney+?
Ok, so I admit that this mom had no clue who this 1970s Marvel comic book hero was. But ready or not, here comes Phase Four of the MCU.
Are you clueless like me or a huge fan of Marvel’s Moon Knight? After watching the first four episodes of the six-episode series, I may be hooked on yet another new Oscar Isaac release. So what can we expect from this dark horse Marvel character as the intro to Phase IV? Don’t get it twisted.
In this Moon Knight 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 for this six episode Disney+ series in this full parents guide to the show. A no-spoiler parent review of the new streaming television show, how does Moon Knight compare to Hawkeye, Loki, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, WandaVision, and the other Marvel movies that we love? And most importantly, is Moon Knight ok for kids?
The Visuals
Why hello there, psychological thriller Marvel. In case you’re wondering what the horror of the new Dr. Strange movie will feel like, Marvel’s Moon Knight series may give you a few clues.
Suspenseful imagery, action-packed Marvel CGI interwoven with edgy yet creepy horror film-like details in every 45 to 51 minute episode, Moon Knight delivers a new and unexpected side of Marvel that’s intense, powerful and gripping for the audience.
Photosensitivity warning. Playing with light (potential strobing/seizure inducing effects) and darkness along with ancient gods and Egyptian history themes all run in the DNA of this series. And I have to admit, I actually like the overall look. I didn’t think that I would.
The Story
According to director Mohamed Diab, it’s a “horror action comedy drama.” Unlike past Marvel projects, Moon Knight tackles a blended sort of series that is not only packed with drastically different genres all blended seamlessly, but intimate stories as well as highlighting Diab’s Egyptian past and present country with pride.
Ethan Hawke (“Dead Poets Society,” “Training Day“) as Arthur Harrow and Egyptian-Palestinian actress May Calamawy (“Ramy,” “The Long Road Home“) as Layla El-Faouly is joined by Star Wars trilogy star and Golden Globe winner Oscar Isaac in this origin story of the 1975 Marvel hero, Moon Knight. It’s SO good to see “Poe” back on the screen again. And this time, he’s donning a Marvel superhero persona…or personas? But this mini series is not exactly what we’ve been given from Marvel streaming shows so far.
Intensity increases as this origin story unfolds, as does expecting the unexpected. If you’re going in cold like I did into Moon Knight, don’t worry. You’ll be able to catch on to the story quickly.
Fast paced (unlike Captain Marvel) and easily appealing to hardcore Marvel fans and Moon Knight novices, fascinating Egyptian history meets dark suspense thriller adding yet another complex dimension to the Marvel repertoire. I compare this mini series to “The Mummy” movie meets “The Mask” if that’s possible – throwing in some extra dark humor.
But the story is not the only star of this show. It’s mental health. Marvel deep diving into mental health and the multitude (pun intended) of mental health disorders all interlaced with mystery, intelligence and dark humor rivals that of one of my personal favorite TV shows ever, “Sherlock.” And it feels so GOOD to see Marvel exploring the hero’s inner struggle within this series.
What mental illness does Moon Knight suffer from? Dissociative identity disorder, NOT schizophrenia. Don’t get it twisted. Marvel makes it very well known that the hero is battling with his inner self throughout this show. Exploring the chaotic turmoil within Moon Knight’s multiple characters is as intense as it is gripping to watch. Horrifying, emotional, and yet full of vulnerable strength and heart, Oscar Isaac plays his “role” with authenticity and care as he fluidly shifts between multiple characters with ease. If you haven’t had full respect for Isaac’s acting skills yet, you will.
That TV-14 Rating Explained
Is Moon Knight safe for kids? As we all know, not every Marvel series is the same. Remember that surprise curveball WandaVision episode? Or that intense The Falcon and the Winter Soldier scene? So is this new Marvel TV series about to shock our television screens again? Or is this more of the Marvel predictable age rating for kids like Loki and Hawkeye?
Why is Moon Knight rated TV-14? Marvel’s Moon Knight is rated TV-14 LV for “language and violence.” With film ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like Moon Knight is kid friendly – and worth paying those Disney+ subscription fees. (Turning Red controversy ringing any bells?)
Is this Moon Knight Review | Safe for Kids? Here’s what to expect for parent guidelines for the fifth ever Marvel television series, the fourth one rated TV-14. Is Moon Knight scary for kids? Warning: I only had access to preview the first 4 episodes of the six-episode series. So this TV-14 LV rating breakdown is strictly for the episode one, episode two, episode three and episode four only.
Adult Themes. As far as adult themes and sexual content for Episodes 1-4, I would say overall mild and on par for previous Marvel releases (sans The Eternals). Brief kissing, two shirtless scenes (one full body shot and one shoulders and up shot) and mild alcohol drinking from bottle are seen throughout the 4 episodes including the words “drunk” and “booze”. There’s also brief discussion of “genocide,” including a listing of a few familiar names from history. And some religion/cult like practices are seen.
As with any films/shows discussing mental health, there may be some triggering scenes for those who are dealing with and/or suffering from mental illness including the use of restraints, medical interventions, psychological evaluations, grief, death, and people displaying mental health symptoms/behaviors. I would use extreme caution for anyone watching this show who are sensitive to such visuals (especially for episode 4).
Language. There are swear words, people. It’s Marvel. Bad language is used throughout the series, ranging from the most common uses of words like sh!t, h-e-double-hockey-sticks, @ss, “suck,” and multiple English dialect uses of “bloody,” if you consider that term as language. There’s one visual reference to a middle finger and one phrase of “chill the F out” (not the actual word, but saying the “F”). But mostly the language said is used in conversation, and not as a punchline.
On average, there’s about 3 to 9 language uses per episode. I would say more in line with The Falcon and The Winter Soldier series. However, this does not include the endless uses of “oh my g-d” or “oh g-d,” and other more mild insults such as “idiot” and “stupid” per episode. I think the g-d references bothered me more than the swearing. I giggle, but so far not one “d@mn” used at all in the first 4 episodes. But we still have 2 episodes left.
Violence/Suspense. Holy psychological horror, Batman. Is there’s any red flag for a series when it comes to Moon Knight being safe for kids, it’s the violence and suspense level. Unlike the previous movies and shows that Marvel has produced thus far, Moon Knight is NOT safe for kids to watch, especially for little kids.
Human disfigurement, blood, gore, use of weapons including guns (including kill shots) and knives, scary monsters and imagery (including thriller type jump scares with visuals and music similar to a horror/suspense film), and creepy rituals are all within the first few episodes, definitely increasing in amount and intensity as the series goes on with episode 4 as the MOST intense.
This is BY FAR the most violent and suspenseful television series production from the MCU in my honest mom opinion.
Episode 5 Update: Trigger warning!!! While episode 4 hit a climax, episode 5 touches on a creepy, mysterious, and complicated past of Marc and Steven. Be prepared for multiple personal death triggers and family trauma that could be difficult to deal with, along with intense (yet overall less intense) monster/creature/zombie-like people, a tiny bit of gore/blood, mental illness breakdown, alcohol consumption, and mild language: about 3 h-e-double-hockey-stick references, 1 d@mmit, 6 “Oh g-d,” “fricking,” “freak out,” and “heck.” (But did you catch The Black Panther Easter Egg?)
Season Finale Episode 6 Update: Most satisfying ending to a Marvel series – EVER! I wasn’t sure that Moon Knight was going to wrap up all of the loose ends in one episode, but definitely satisfying last episode for the Moon Knight series. Overall much less intensity for violence, horror, suspense in this episode. Still presence of blood, use of weapons (including knives and guns), and very mild language: only 3 h-e-double-hockey-stick references. Stay until the very, very end for one post credits scene.
Moon Knight Age Rating for Kids?
With Moon Knight being the 4th Marvel show series release since the intro of Disney+, we now have lots of different shows to compare to. But how does Moon Knight compare to WandaVision, Loki, Falcon and Hawkeye streaming shows? Honestly, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the new Disney+ parental control settings arrived and that age ratings upped to TV-MA right before the Moon Knight release.
With Moon Knight being the 4th Marvel show series release since the intro of Disney+, we now have lots of different shows to compare to. But how does Moon Knight compare to WandaVision, Loki, Falcon and Hawkeye streaming shows? Honestly, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the new Disney+ parental control settings arrived and that age ratings upped to TV-MA right before the Moon Knight release.
A little parent PSA, this is a reminder for those who haven’t upgraded their Disney+ parental control settings yet – you might want to do that now before Moon Knight streams on April 1st. (TV-14 is the auto setting for profiles.) As far as a Moon Knight summary for parents: increased gore, increased blood, increased suspense, intense violence AND language (said in my best Captain America voice).
Most comparable to that of The Mummy movie series, Moon Knight really kicks up the thrill factor, with suspenseful jump scares, gory visuals and psychological elements (lights, darkness, music, etc.) that intensify as the series episodes go on.
The new Marvel mini series has 6 episodes for season 1. But you know that I’m rooting for Moon Knight Season 2.
Yes, the last episode (episode 6) has one post credits scene. Stay until the very end of the episode.
Marvel’s Moon Knight is rated TV-14 LV for “language and violence.“
Based on my Moon Knight parents guide and TV-14 age rating breakdown above, parents who have allowed their kids to enjoy most of the MCU releases thus far may want to reconsider this Marvel series. Borderline horror/psychological thriller territory, I as a mom and a parent movie reviewer actually agree with the TV-14 age rating for this release. and recommend Marvel’s Moon Knight series to kids who are at least a mature 14 years old.
Of all of the Marvel show series available right now on Disney+, Moon Knight is definitely the most intense of the bunch.
Moon Knight really kicks up the thrill factor, with suspenseful jump scares, gory visuals and psychological elements (lights, darkness, music, etc.) that intensify as the series episodes go on. For that reason alone, my 9-year old daughter will NOT be watching this series. And after my prescreening and and then discussing with her, she’s totally fine with that. “Um, ok Mommy. So who’s Moon Knight again?” Borderline horror/psychological thriller territory, I as a mom and a parent movie reviewer actually agree with the TV-14 age rating for this release. and recommend Marvel’s Moon Knight series to kids who are at least a mature 14 years old.
However, I do feel that mature 13-year old teens not prone to scaring easily (aka my son who has read and appreciated the Moon Knight comic books) will enjoy watching along with their parents. But I highly do NOT recommend Moon Knight for young kids at all, even the hardcore Marvel fans who have enjoyed watching Phases I, II and III with their families. This Marvel mini series is unlike any other Marvel show or movie your kids have seen so far.
The Overall
It’s Marvel’s most psychologically thrilling ambition yet, multiplied. Moon Knight, Marvel’s newest superhero series on Disney+ is next level for Marvel fans. And by next level, I mean – maybe not for little ones this time. Sorry, kids.
Using that TV-14 age rating to the fullest extent with suspenseful thrills, gory violence, adult language and enough dark and creepy scenes of kids’ nightmares, Moon Knight dares to go where Marvel hasn’t been before. Teetering the line of psychological horror, it’s the new Marvel for Phase IV. Full of Egyptian history and culture, fast-paced action and dialogue, fans will either love and embrace Moon Knight and this new Marvel genre or be completely confused by it. And I’m curious what unexpected twist Moon Knight will have on the MCU moving forward.
Follow Moon Knight on social:
- Website: https://www.marvel.com/tv-shows/moon-knight/1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moonknight/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/moonknight
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themoonknight/
- #MoonKnight
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Wednesday is the new Friday. The new Marvel Studios television series Moon Knight streams on Disney+ starting Wednesday March 30, 2022, with new episodes releasing every Wednesday through May 4, 2022.
I was invited to screen Episodes 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the new Marvel/Disney Plus series in exchange for this Moon Knight Review | Safe for Kids? All photos courtesy of Marvel/Disney. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie reviews, updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!
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