StoryScanner
Start free

Beauty in Black

Here's what we found in Beauty in Black. Every family is different — get a report that reflects yours.

Screen for YOUR family
General Review

Parent's Guide to Beauty in Black

Beauty in Black (2024) is a Netflix drama series created by Tyler Perry, revolving around the entangled lives of two women: Kimmie, a stripper, and Mallory, who runs a successful cosmetics company and a cunning smuggling operation. The series delves into themes of greed, family turmoil, infidelity, corruption, and the struggles for survival and power within a dysfunctional family. Released in two parts in 2024 and 2025, the show is rated TV-MA, indicating it is intended for mature audiences due to its explicit content and complex, often dark, narrative arcs. It explores challenging societal issues through its characters' experiences, providing a dramatic and often provocative viewing experience.

Things to Consider

High6

LGBTQ & Gender Identity

The series features multiple LGBTQ+ characters whose sexual orientations are central to their character arcs and generate significant plot points and conflicts. This includes both closeted and openly gay characters, as well as a bisexual character, and explores themes of self-acceptance and familial hypocrisy.

Horace, the father of Roy and Charles, is a closeted homosexual who eventually confides in Kimmie about his sexuality and his interest in male strippers. Kimmie helps him connect with Angel, a male stripper. Horace exhibits hypocrisy by disapproving of his younger son, Charles, who is openly gay and lives life on his own terms. Additionally, the character Varney, played by openly gay actor Terrell Carter, is described as a 'complex queer character' who navigates intricate relationships within the series.

Violence

Beauty in Black includes significant violence, ranging from physical assaults and implied abuse to murder storylines. The violence is integral to the drama and can be graphic in its implications, contributing to the series' mature rating.

Romance and Sexual Content

The series contains frequent and explicit sexual content, including prostitution, suggestive situations, and 'gratuitous sex sequences' that are noted as unnecessary by some reviewers. Infidelity is a prominent theme, driving much of the marital and relational drama.

Profanity

Profanity is frequently used throughout the series, with some reviews describing it as 'over the top' and 'excessive.' The language contributes to the TV-MA rating and is not limited to mild curse words.

Scary & Intense Content

The series contains intense dramatic situations, suspense, and frightening themes related to crime, exploitation, and violent confrontations. The overall tone is described as dark and involves life-threatening situations and psychological distress for characters.

Disrespect & Rebellion

Disrespect and rebellious behavior are central to many character interactions and plotlines, particularly within the dysfunctional family dynamics and criminal underworld. Characters often defy authority, engage in backtalk, and exhibit defiant attitudes as part of the dramatic conflict.

Would these 6 concerns matter to your family?

Get a report based on your values — not generic ratings.

Medium1
Substance Use
Low2
Witchcraft & OccultAnti-Christian Themes

Additional Context

Best For Ages

The series is officially rated TV-MA, which stands for 'Mature Audience' and suggests it is suitable for ages 17 and older. This recommendation is due to the frequent presence of strong language, explicit sexual content, violence, substance abuse, and mature thematic elements like infidelity, corruption, and exploitation. The complex and often dark nature of the storylines, including prostitution and murder, requires a mature understanding of sensitive subjects.

Good to Know

The series is a Tyler Perry production, known for its dramatic and often provocative storytelling, which often features strong language and mature themes. The show's two main protagonists, Kimmie and Mallory, navigate complex and dangerous worlds, with Kimmie being an exotic dancer forced into prostitution and Mallory involved in a smuggling operation. The series is characterized by constant drama, plot twists, and morally ambiguous characters. The critical reception suggests issues with plot redundancy and exaggerated dialogue, but it has a loyal fan base drawn to its intense drama.

How does this review compare?

This review
  • 9 standard concerns
  • General sensitivity level
  • One-size-fits-all perspective
Your report
  • Concerns you choose
  • Sensitivity levels you set
  • Tailored to your family

What are you watching next?

Screen any title in seconds — even ones no one else has reviewed.

Personalized to your valuesDetailed findingsAny title, instantly
Start with 10 free scans

No credit card required — join hundreds of families