The first episode of Moon Knight, the latest installment to the MCU, will be available to stream on Disney Plus beginning March 30, 2022. But is it appropriate for kids? I had the opportunity to screen the first four episodes. As a result, I’m answering that question and more in my spoiler free Moon Knight parents guide. With a TV-14 rating that includes language, violence and thematic elements, here’s what parents need to know about Moon Knight on Disney Plus.
Moon Knight on Disney Plus: A Parents Guide
Moon Knight is dark. Perhaps the darkest Marvel series/movie that I’ve seen so far. Who is Moon Knight exactly? That’s a good question and it’s something that even comes as a mystery to the main character. In fact, this is the central mystery of the Moon Knight series. Is he Marc Spector? Is he Steven Grant? Or is he someone else that we’ll find out as we watch the series? What we do know is that he is played by Oscar Isaac and that he appears to have dissociative identity disorder. Top that off with an ancient Egyptian curse and you’re in for one heck of a ride. However, as I mentioned above, this series is extremely dark and violent. As a result, here’s what parents need to know about the Moon Knight age rating.
What is Moon Knight Rated?
The series is rated TV-14 which means that it contains some material that many parents would find unsuitable for children under 14 years of age. For example, it’s usually intense violence, suggestive dialogue, coarse language, and/or intense sexual situations that determine a TV-14 rating. Here, there is a lot of profanity, violence and thematic elements, but more about that below.
Language
There is a lot of profanity in this series, although not quite as bad as the profanity used in Black Widow or Shang-Chi. For example, characters say words like “sh*t, “p**s*s,” and “h*ll.” Steven Grant (the first persona who viewers are introduced to) also speaks with a British accent, so he says words like “bloody” which might confuse kids who are not familiar with that particular dialect. Another character also flips off another character, using the middle finger.
Violence
Did I mention that there is a lot of violence in this series? This is where Moon Knight earns its TV-14 rating. Weapons like knives and guns are used and characters beat other characters, sometimes to death. This series does contain graphic violence, which did surprise me. For example, characters were shown being stabbed to death. There is one scene in particular where a character’s corpse is cut up and his organs are placed into different vessels (or at least that’s what it appeared to be). This series does contain horror aspects to it, which could definitely be frightening to younger kids, especially because there are also scary creatures that make appearances.
Thematic Elements
As I mentioned above, Moon Knight, and his different personas, have dissociative identity disorder. As a result, this series can be confusing, especially to younger viewers, because the character blacks out several times throughout the episodes. And other times, the character will quickly switch from one personality to another, which may also be confusing to younger kids.
The series definitely touches on mental health. However, it doesn’t do a deep dive into how or why the main character has dissociative identity disorder or how he copes, other than presenting it as a stylistic narrative choice.
Overall Thoughts
If I could use two words to describe this series, it would be “bizarre” and “trippy.” The first episode almost lost me as a viewer but I’m glad that I kept watching because the second and third episodes really kept my attention. And episode four was just plain weird. Basically, I have no idea what’s going on. And if I’m struggling, chances are younger kids will struggle to understand the storyline, too.
And yet, I couldn’t turn away. The action, the occasional light-hearted moments, the Egyptian mythology, the horror elements all kept me interested. Oscar Isaac convincingly plays each of his personalities to perfection.
Nevertheless, I do think younger kids will struggle watching this series for the reasons I mentioned above. While it doesn’t have any sexual content, it’s very complicated and dark.
About Moon Knight on Disney Plus
When Steven Grant, a mild-mannered gift-shop employee, becomes plagued with blackouts and memories of another life, he discovers he has dissociative identity disorder and shares a body with mercenary Marc Spector. As Steven/Marc’s enemies converge upon them, they must navigate their complex identities while thrust into a deadly mystery among the powerful gods of Egypt.
Great article. I can’t wait to see the series.