Big Little Lies
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to Big Little Lies
Big Little Lies is an American psychological dark comedy-drama television series that aired on HBO, based on Liane Moriarty's novel. The series, encompassing two seasons, delves into the seemingly perfect lives of five affluent women in Monterey, California, whose lives unravel amidst secrets, betrayals, and ultimately, a murder mystery. The show explores complex themes such as domestic abuse, sexual assault, motherhood, friendship, and societal pressures. While featuring an ensemble cast of strong female leads, it tackles mature subjects and is intended for adult audiences.
Things to Consider
Violence
Violence is a central and recurring theme, particularly domestic abuse, depicted graphically and with intense psychological impact. The series begins with a murder investigation and showcases multiple instances of physical and emotional abuse.
1. Celeste is subjected to severe physical abuse by her husband, Perry, including a scene where he smashes her head against a glass shower door. 2. The series culminates in the accidental death of Perry, who is pushed down a flight of stairs by Bonnie during a violent confrontation. Bonnie later confesses, 'I killed Celeste's husband. And he didn't slip. I pushed him.' 3. The plot also revolves around child bullying, with Amabella Klein being physically harmed by another child, which is a major point of contention and mystery in Season 1.
Romance and Sexual Content
The series features explicit sexual content, including graphic depictions of sexual acts and nudity, particularly in the context of abusive relationships. Themes of infidelity and sexual assault are integral to the plot and are portrayed with disturbing detail.
Profanity
The show contains frequent and strong profanity throughout both seasons, reflecting the characters' intense emotions and stressful situations. Explicit curse words are used regularly in dialogue.
Scary & Intense Content
The series contains consistently scary and intense content, driven by its murder mystery plotline and graphic depictions of domestic violence, psychological abuse, and the aftermath of trauma. The emotional intensity is high throughout.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
18+ due to pervasive mature themes including graphic violence, explicit sexual content, domestic abuse, strong language, and substance use. The series contains intense psychological drama and deals with traumatic events that are unsuitable for younger viewers.
Good to Know
Parents should be aware that while the series features children, the content is explicitly adult, dealing with themes of violence, sexual abuse, and trauma in a raw and unflinching manner. The show's mature themes are central to its narrative and character development, not merely incidental.
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