Jeffrey Salazar
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy series created by Victor Fresco for Netflix. The show centres on a suburban family whose lives take a dark turn when the mother, Sheila, dies and comes back as a zombie with a craving for human flesh. While the show has received generally positive reviews for its humour and cast, it has also been criticised for its gore, violence, sexual references, and drug use. Due to its graphic content, Santa Clarita Diet has been deemed unsuitable for children by many viewers and parents, with some recommending it only for mature teenagers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Horror-comedy |
| Show format | Sitcom |
| Show rating | 18+ |
| Show tone | Light and sunny |
| Gore | Yes |
| Violence | Yes |
| Sexual references | Yes |
| Drug use | Yes |
| Show appeal | Mix of brutal violence and comedy |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Santa Clarita Diet's appeal
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy series created by Victor Fresco and distributed by Netflix. The show centres on a husband and wife real estate team, Joel and Sheila Hammond, whose lives take a dark turn when Sheila dies and comes back as a zombie with a craving for human flesh. The show has received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for its cast, humour, and engaging premise. However, the level of gore and violent content has been noted as potentially off-putting for some viewers.
The show's appeal lies in several factors. Firstly, it blends horror and humour in a unique way. Despite the gruesome content, the show maintains a light and sunny tone, with fresh and smart dialogue, creating a comedic effect that offsets the gore. This combination of horror and comedy has been described as "zom-sitcom", a play on the term "rom-com". The show also features likeable and appealing characters, with viewers highlighting the chemistry between the lead actors, Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant. The characters' relationships, particularly the way the family pulls together to hide Sheila's secret, adds a layer of sweetness to the show.
The show also offers social commentary and subversion of expectations. The setting of a peaceful, middle-class suburbia contrasts with the gory and violent events that unfold, creating a sense of absurdity and dark humour. The show also plays with the traditional zombie trope by portraying Sheila as a "sweet-natured" zombie, exploring the idea of what it means to be undead and how it affects her personality and desires.
Additionally, the show has been praised for its exploration of family dynamics and relationships. Despite the unusual circumstances, the Hammonds remain a close-knit family, working together to navigate Sheila's new condition and its impact on their lives. The show also features a strong female lead in Sheila, who, despite her undead state, retains her agency and embraces her new freedom and impulses.
While the show has received positive reviews and has a dedicated fan base, it is important to note that it is not suitable for children. The show has been rated 18+ by the MPAA and Netflix due to its violent content, sexual references, and bloody scenes. Parental reviews have also cautioned against allowing younger viewers to watch, citing the gore, sexual content, drug use, and swearing as inappropriate for children.
Flexible Dieting: What Does 'If It Fits' Approach Mean?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The show's advertising
The advertising for *Santa Clarita Diet* has been criticised for being inappropriate for children. In February 2017, Netflix was criticised for promoting the show in Germany with posters depicting a human finger sliced up like a currywurst, a popular German fast food dish. The German Advertising Council received over 50 complaints that the advertising was glorifying violence and inducing fear, especially in children.
One reviewer noted that the show's advertising and initial premise led them to expect a typical sitcom, saying:
> "For his part, Joel loves his wife (and his life) and only has small complaints. Santa Clarita Diet does embrace sitcom clichés and characters, such as Sheila's hectoring boss (Andy Richter) and handsome-yet-creepy new coworker (Nathan Fillion)."
However, they also observed that the show subverts these clichés through its unexpected combination of horror and humour:
> "[T]he things they say are hysterical, and the show has an undeniable core of sweetness running through it, particularly in scenes where Sheila, Joel, and Abby work together to hide Sheila's secret. Underneath the chewed-off digits and ripped-open chest cavities, Sheila's just a woman who wants freedom and fun and to do it without upending her peaceful family existence."
Another reviewer commented on the show's advertising and premise, saying:
> "I love the scream movies so this was a great tv show. I’m 17 and I get scared pretty easily. I watched this show and became obsessed with it. It was pretty scary and very disgusting. But I will admit it was very good. Do not let kids under 16 watch it. They need to be mature and own a night light."
Understanding Diet Support for the Diaspora Community
You may want to see also
Sexual content and gore
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy hybrid that revolves around a suburban family whose lives take a dark turn when the mother, Sheila, dies and comes back as a zombie with a craving for human flesh. The show has been described as "brutal", "bloody", and "gory", with "gallons of guts" and "buckets of blood". It has also been noted for its sexual content, including references to sex and a wife's increased libido after becoming undead.
While the show's comedic tone and light-hearted dialogue may take the edge off the gory and violent content for some viewers, it is important to consider that the show has been rated 18+ by the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America TV Series rating system) due to its sexual references and bloody content. In the United Kingdom, it received a 15 rating, while in the United States, it is rated TV-MA.
The show's advertising has also sparked controversy. In Germany, Netflix promoted the show with posters depicting a human finger sliced up like a currywurst, a popular German fast food dish. This led to complaints that the advertising was glorifying violence and inducing fear, especially in children.
Given the show's graphic nature, it is recommended that parents exercise discretion when considering whether to allow their children to watch Santa Clarita Diet. While some younger viewers may find the show entertaining, it is important to weigh the potential impact of the show's violent and sexual content on impressionable minds.
Hip Replacement: Reducing Swelling with Dietary Changes
You may want to see also
Drug use and consumerism
Santa Clarita Diet is a horror-comedy hybrid about a successful suburban family whose lives take a dark turn when the mother, Sheila, dies and then comes back as a hungry zombie with a craving for human flesh. The show has been described as having "gallons of guts", with frequent references to sex and violence.
Given the graphic nature of the show's content, it is not surprising that many viewers have expressed concern about its appropriateness for children. One parent review states that the show is "definitely not for kids" due to its gory, bloody, and violent nature, as well as its sexual content and frequent swearing and drug use. Another parent review mentions that they decided against letting their 15-year-old daughter watch the show after watching a few episodes themselves.
The show's light-hearted and comedic tone, as well as its positive portrayal of a family working together to overcome challenges, may appeal to younger viewers. However, the show's drug use and consumerism are two key aspects that contribute to making it inappropriate for children and younger teens.
Drug use is normalised and even glamorised in the show, with the father, Joel, frequently smoking pot, often in his car and before important meetings. This is noted by a parent reviewer as being particularly concerning, as it seems more common than cigarette smoking in the show. While drug use may be a common plot device in adult-oriented shows, it can send a problematic message to younger viewers who may not fully understand the risks and consequences of drug use.
In addition to drug use, the show also portrays a high level of consumerism, with a focus on the acquisition and consumption of body parts and other material goods. The show's consumerist themes may not be suitable for children, as they could promote a materialistic mindset or desensitise them to the value of human life. The show's treatment of consumerism as a light-hearted or even humorous topic could influence younger viewers to develop a distorted view of consumption and its impact on individuals and society.
Starvation Mode: Why 1500 Calories is Dangerous for Men
You may want to see also
Age ratings
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy hybrid about a successful suburban family whose lives take a dark turn when the mother, Sheila, dies and comes back as a hungry zombie. The show features a lot of gore, including scenes of Sheila vomiting blood and eating people, as well as sexual references and drug use.
Given the content of the show, it has received various age ratings in different countries. Here is a list of the age ratings for Santa Clarita Diet in different regions:
- United States: TV-MA (Mature Audience Only), suitable for viewers over 17 years old.
- United Kingdom: 15
- Canada: TV-MA
- Australia: MA15+
- France: 16
In addition, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and Common Sense Media (CSM) have both rated the show 18+, suggesting that only adults should watch it.
While some older teenagers and parents may find the show entertaining, it is important for parents to consider the maturity level of their children before allowing them to watch Santa Clarita Diet. The show's light-hearted tone and comedic elements may make the violent and sexual content more palatable for some viewers, but it is still essential to exercise discretion and ensure that children are not exposed to age-inappropriate material.
Nutrition Adequacy: What Does It Mean and Why It Matters
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, Santa Clarita Diet is not appropriate for kids. It is a horror-comedy hybrid with frequent gore, violence, sexual references, and drug use.
Santa Clarita Diet is about a suburban family whose lives take a dark turn when the mother, Sheila, dies and comes back as a zombie with a craving for human flesh.
Santa Clarita Diet contains graphic scenes of gore and violence, including vomiting blood, eating human flesh, and ripping open body cavities. It also includes sexual references and jokes, as well as drug use and swearing.
Despite the gore and violence, Santa Clarita Diet has been praised for its excellent cast, smart dialogue, and engaging premise. It has also been described as funny, adorable, and hysterical.
Santa Clarita Diet is rated 18+ by the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) and Netflix. It is rated 15 in the United Kingdom, TV-MA in the United States and Canada, MA15+ in Australia, and 16 in France.
