13 Reasons Why

Monty de la Cruz, a closeted gay character, violently assaults Winston Williams after they share a kiss, illustrating internalized homophobia and violence. Monty later has sex with Winston, further complicating his struggle with his sexuality. In Season 4, main character Alex Standall explores his bisexuality, entering a relationship with Charlie St. George, who also identifies as bisexual. This season also controversially features Justin Foley's death from AIDS, a plotline criticized for potentially perpetuating stigma around HIV/AIDS and its connection to substance abuse and sex work.

In Season 1, Hannah Baker's graphic suicide scene, depicting her slitting her wrists in a bathtub, was highly controversial and later edited out by Netflix. Season 2 includes a particularly disturbing scene where Tyler Down is sexually assaulted with a broom handle by Monty de la Cruz in a school bathroom. Additionally, a school shooting plotline unfolds in Season 2, with Tyler Down planning and attempting to carry out a mass shooting at the Spring Fling dance before being intervened by Clay.

Hannah Baker is raped by Bryce Walker in Season 1, a violent and non-consensual act that is explicitly depicted. Jessica Davis is also raped by Bryce Walker, a scene depicted graphically which underscores the theme of sexual violence. Furthermore, the show features scenes of consensual sexual intercourse between teenage characters, sometimes with nudity, contributing to the overall high level of sexual content.

Characters frequently use explicit curse words, including the F-word and S-word, in dialogue to express anger, frustration, or in casual conversation. For example, characters like Clay Jensen and Justin Foley use strong profanity regularly as they navigate intense emotional situations and conflicts at Liberty High. The language is integral to the raw portrayal of the characters' experiences and interactions.

Numerous scenes depict teenagers getting drunk at parties and consuming alcohol. For instance, in Season 1, Hannah Baker and other characters drink alcohol at various social gatherings. Justin Foley's storyline heavily involves drug addiction, including the use of heroin, which he struggles with throughout multiple seasons, culminating in his tragic death from AIDS, exacerbated by his drug use.

Beyond the explicit suicide and sexual assault scenes, the show creates intense psychological horror through the prolonged emotional distress of its characters. For example, Clay Jensen's ongoing hallucinations and vivid nightmares of Hannah Baker, particularly after her death, contribute to a pervasive sense of dread and psychological intensity throughout the series. The school shooting plotline in Season 2, where Tyler Down is moments away from committing a horrific act of violence, generates extreme suspense and fear for the characters and audience.

Clay Jensen consistently defies direct warnings from school administrators and his own parents regarding his investigation into Hannah's tapes, prioritizing his quest for truth over adult guidance. Many students, including characters like Tony Padilla and Jessica Davis, actively distrust and circumvent the school's authority, such as the guidance counselor Mr. Porter, believing the adults are either unwilling or unable to address the severe bullying and sexual assault issues effectively.