Hijack
Hijack (2023) is an Apple TV+ thriller series that unfolds in real-time, primarily aboard a hijacked flight from Dubai to London. The narrative follows corporate negotiator Sam Nelson, played by Idris Elba, as he attempts to use his professional skills to de-escalate the perilous situation and ensure the safety of the passengers. The series also tracks the efforts of authorities on the ground as they scramble to understand the hijackers' motives and coordinate a response. It is a high-stakes, claustrophobic drama that emphasizes suspense and psychological tension over explicit gore.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe series features strong, intense violence, focusing on threatening situations and psychological tension rather than explicit gore. Characters are frequently placed in peril, with physical altercations occurring in bursts, though severe injury details are often implied or shown without excessive blood.
Men, women, and children are threatened with guns throughout the flight, creating a constant sense of danger. In one episode, a physical fight ensues where a man chokes and punches a woman, later hitting her head with a metal water bottle, resulting in her face being covered in blood.
Profanity
HighThe series contains harsh and frequent profanity, including regular use of strong expletives. Multiple sources highlight the consistent presence of offensive language across episodes, advising caution for audiences sensitive to such content.
Each episode contains approximately 12 to 25 obscenities and profanities, including several uses of the 'f-word' and other strong profanities. In one episode, there are nine uses of the 'f-word', one 's-word', several misuses of God's name, and a crass term for testicles.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe series is characterized by high levels of suspense and psychological tension, stemming from the life-threatening situation of a hijacked flight. It creates a claustrophobic and anxiety-ridden atmosphere, with characters in constant peril and themes of terrorism and imminent danger. The show intentionally avoids excessive gore but maintains high intensity.
The central premise involves a hijacked flight, creating an unrelenting atmosphere of confinement and fear, with characters constantly threatened by armed hijackers. Mentions of terrorism and the events of 9/11 further amplify the tension and potential catastrophic outcomes.
Disrespect & Rebellion
HighDisrespect and rebellion are inherent to the show's premise, with hijackers seizing control of a flight, defying all forms of authority. Passengers, including the protagonist Sam, also engage in rebellious acts by attempting to thwart the hijackers or communicate with outside authorities against their demands.
The hijackers explicitly defy airport security and international law by taking over a plane, holding passengers and crew hostage. Sam Nelson, while a negotiator, often employs tactics that go against the hijackers' direct orders and conspires with other passengers to undermine their control, such as when passengers plan to overtake the hijackers.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumRomance and sexual content are not central to the narrative and are portrayed with restraint. While relationships and implied intimacy are present, there are no explicit sex scenes or graphic nudity. The focus remains on the dramatic tension of the hijacking.
The main character, Sam, is dealing with his estranged wife, Marsha, who is shown in a new relationship, and there's a brief scene of an adult couple lying in bed together without explicit details. Another instance includes a woman on the flight revealing she is having an affair with a married man, and a character refers to her as having a 'sugar daddy'.
Substance Use
MediumSubstance use is present but generally in the background, not serving as a major thematic concern or depicted graphically. Alcohol is consumed occasionally in social or stressful contexts, and there is a brief mention of a pill for anxiety.
Alcohol appears occasionally, often in social settings or during moments of stress. Additionally, a character offers an older woman a pill to calm her flight anxiety.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowComprehensive searches for LGBTQ+ and gender identity content within 'Hijack (2023)' did not yield any specific mentions of LGBTQ+ characters, themes, or representation. The available parental guides and reviews do not highlight any such elements as present in the series.
No specific examples of LGBTQ+ characters, relationships, or gender identity discussions were found in the analyzed content for 'Hijack (2023)' across mainstream and long-tail sources.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowNo elements of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic rituals, demons, spells, or supernatural themes were identified in the content analysis of 'Hijack (2023)'. The series adheres to a realistic thriller genre.
No specific examples related to witchcraft or occult content were found within the reviewed materials for 'Hijack (2023)'.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe series largely maintains a strong moral worldview with subtle allusions to Christianity, primarily through prayer. However, it includes a minor portrayal of a religious figure displaying questionable ethics.
Movieguide notes subtle allusions to Christianity and faith, primarily expressed through prayer. The only potentially concerning element is a priest who displays questionable ethics by attempting to bribe a flight attendant.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Hijack is rated TV-MA in the USA and is recommended for ages 17+ due to its mature themes, sustained psychological tension, and depictions of violence and strong language. The show's premise, revolving around terrorism and life-or-death decisions, can be heavy and unsettling for younger viewers, focusing on prolonged fear, moral ambiguity, and high-stress scenarios.
Additional Notes
The series focuses heavily on real-time tension and the psychological toll of a hijacking, which may be emotionally intense for some viewers. While graphic violence and sexual content are generally restrained for a TV-MA rating, the sustained threat and high-stakes nature are significant. Season 2 introduces a new hijacking scenario on a train, with protagonist Sam seemingly involved in the hijacking, adding a layer of moral ambiguity and complexity to his character's actions.
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