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Locke & Key

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General Review

Parent's Guide to Locke & Key

Locke & Key is a fantasy drama and supernatural horror television series developed for Netflix, based on the comic book series of the same name. The narrative centers on the Locke family—mother Nina and her three children, Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode—who relocate to their ancestral home, Keyhouse, in Matheson, Massachusetts, after the tragic murder of their father, Rendell Locke. Upon arrival, the children discover a collection of mysterious magical keys hidden throughout the house, each possessing unique supernatural abilities. As they uncover the keys' secrets and learn to wield their powers, they become embroiled in a dangerous conflict with a malevolent demonic entity, Dodge, who also seeks the keys for nefarious purposes. The series blends elements of fantasy, mystery, and horror, exploring themes of grief, trauma, family bonds, and self-discovery within a magical setting, while presenting a slightly toned-down version of the horror from its source material to appeal to a broader teenage audience.

Things to Consider

High3

Violence

The show contains frequent instances of violence, including moderate to graphic depictions of death and peril. These range from shootings and stabbings to magical incineration and attacks by supernatural entities. While the series tones down gore compared to its comic counterpart, violence remains a central and impactful element of the plot.

The series opens with the graphic murder of Rendell Locke, the family patriarch, who is shot by Sam Lesser. A man dies by magically incinerating himself after stabbing himself in the chest with the Matchstick Key. Dodge, in demon form, pushes a teenager in front of a moving subway train, resulting in their death. Characters are regularly attacked by menacing shadow figures, particularly in sequences like the 'Crown of Shadows' attack on Keyhouse, which inflict physical harm.

Witchcraft & Occult

Witchcraft and occult themes are central to the entire series, driving the core plot. The narrative revolves around magical keys, a malevolent demonic entity, and a portal to another dimension, with demons frequently possessing human hosts.

Scary & Intense Content

The series maintains a consistent tone of supernatural horror and suspense, featuring intense monster/slasher-type scares, disturbing imagery, and jump scares. Life-threatening situations involving demonic entities and psychological terror are frequently central to the storyline.

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Medium5
LGBTQ & Gender IdentityRomance and Sexual ContentProfanitySubstance UseDisrespect & Rebellion
Low1
Anti-Christian Themes
Medium5

LGBTQ & Gender Identity

The series includes openly gay characters and explores bisexuality, particularly through a major antagonist. Themes related to gender identity are present via a magical key that enables characters to change sex, although its use by the antagonist is critically viewed as manipulative rather than a nuanced exploration of identity.

Romance and Sexual Content

Romantic relationships among teenage characters are depicted, featuring kissing and implied sexual activity. While some scenes involve partial undressing and suggestive situations, the series generally avoids explicit sexual acts or nudity.

Profanity

The series incorporates moderate profanity, with various curse words used occasionally, especially during intense or emotional moments. Stronger expletives are present alongside milder terms and offensive gestures.

Substance Use

Substance use is depicted in the series, primarily involving teenagers consuming alcohol and smoking marijuana at parties. A significant storyline also addresses a parent's struggle with alcoholism and a brief relapse.

Disrespect & Rebellion

Instances of disrespect and rebellion are present, primarily through the interactions and attitudes of teenage characters. This includes the use of bullying language, defiant gestures, and a broader narrative where children must operate independently due to adults' magical inability to remember the supernatural world.

Low1

Anti-Christian Themes

The series does not prominently feature anti-Christian themes. Its supernatural elements are rooted in fantasy horror tropes involving demons and magic, rather than direct criticism or mockery of Christian beliefs. The use of religious figures as expletives is noted under profanity.

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Locke & Key presents a compelling narrative that, while rooted in a fantastical and supernatural premise, offers several themes aligning with Christian worldview principles. Core messaging often revolves around the triumph of good over evil, the strength derived from family unity, and the process of healing from grief and trauma. The magical keys, capable of being wielded for both good and ill depending on the user's intent, highlight a moral dimension where actions and intentions carry significant weight. This duality of power subtly reinforces a transcendent understanding of right and wrong, contrasting with a purely materialistic or relativistic worldview, as malevolent demonic forces explicitly represent evil, while the Locke children's protective efforts embody a fight for good. Characters are generally rewarded for virtues like courage, selflessness, and loyalty, while vices such as selfishness and the abuse of power lead to negative consequences, as seen when Kinsey's decision to remove her fear initially leads to recklessness, demonstrating the importance of confronting emotions rather than suppressing them. The series explores elements of redemption through sacrifice, forgiveness, and grace. The Locke family consistently sacrifices personal desires and safety to protect the keys and confront the demonic entity, showcasing a selfless commitment to a greater good. The journey of overcoming deep-seated grief and trauma also serves as a thematic redemption, emphasizing personal growth and healing. Family values are strongly emphasized, with the Locke children learning to rely on each other and their collective strength to navigate their challenges, reinforcing the biblical importance of familial bonds, even when parental authority figures, like Nina, are somewhat detached from the magical realities their children face. While explicit Christian faith or practices are minimal, beyond a passing comment about a conservative outfit being 'saving it for Jesus,' the overarching moral framework of battling evil, embracing sacrifice, and valuing family resonates positively with many Christian teachings. The show, therefore, offers a space for Christian parents to discuss these universal virtues and the consequences of moral choices within a captivating fantasy setting, despite its absence of overt religious depiction.

Additional Context

Best For Ages

14+ - The series is officially rated TV-14 by Netflix due to its moderate threat, violence, and language. Common Sense Media suggests 13+, while some parental discussions indicate caution for those under 14, or even 16-17, owing to intense monster scares, frequent death, implied sexual content, and mature themes surrounding trauma and grief.

Good to Know

The series, particularly in comparison to the comic books it's based on, generally aims for a slightly less graphic and intense presentation of its horror elements, making it more accessible to a young adult audience. However, parents should be aware that the core themes of grief, trauma, and confronting evil are explored with significant emotional weight.

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