Locke & Key
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Screen for YOUR familyParent'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
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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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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