Teens with cancer go on a magical adventure; heavy themes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
a little
The three lead characters have all been diagnosed with cancer and experience physical and emotional effects. They express fear, worry, and pain as a result of their diagnosis and treatment. They encounter physical danger in the magical world of Nightingale, where they face fantastical creatures and an ominous threat known as "the Darkness." With every visit there, they must fall down considerable heights and typically pass out when they leave, awakening back at the hospital.
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Adversity can be more manageable when confronted together. Life might not always be fair, but it's always worth fighting for. The only way to defeat darkness is with light. Teamwork, perseverance, and courage are major themes.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Dani, Sarah, and Rocco are all strong, resilient, and big-hearted teens put in a tough situation. They ultimately band together to put others ahead of themselves, risking their lives in an effort to save the magical world of Nightingale. One impactful scene that demonstrates their determination occurs when Rocco is fitted for a prosthetic leg. Even when he falls, he gets back up again and tries to get the hang of his new appendage himself, a persistence that carries throughout much of Nightingale.
Diverse Representations
a lot
The three leads of Nightingale are voiced by a diverse group. The actor who plays Dani, Glory Curda, is of Korean descent. Gabriella Pizzolo, who plays Sarah, identifies as nonbinary and is pansexual. And Raphael Alejandro (Rocco) has roots in Brazil. Though the characters' cultural ties don't factor in to the show, Nightingale does shine a light on the perspective of teens living with a serious illness, such as cancer. Characters with disabilities are main characters.
Parents need to know that Nightingale is a fictional podcast from Gen-Z Media about three teens with cancer who make a startling discovery in the hospital that leads them on a mysterious adventure. There are strong themes of courage, perseverance, and teamwork throughout. Open and honest discussions of cancer and cancer treatment -- including frequent mentions of tumors, chemotherapy, and the anger and frustration that can come along with it -- are had between main characters. The three friends encounter physical danger in the magical world of Nightingale, where they face fantastical creatures and an ominous threat known as "the Darkness," all which reflect their real-life experience with cancer. Some themes may be dark or heavy for younger listeners, but the message of this podcast is strong and uplifting.
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What’s It About?
NIGHTINGALE follows three teens -- Dani, Sarah, and Rocco -- who are cancer patients at the Nightingale Children's Hospital. Soon after befriending one other, they discover a portal to a magical land known as Nightingale inhabited by metallic creatures. Now they must save this world from an ominous force known only as "the Darkness," all while unraveling a mystery about Nightingale's origins and still undergoing their treatment.
Nightingale might center on a mysterious, magical world, but it's the lead characters' real lives that will emotionally capture listeners. Dani, Sarah, and Rocco are the kind of strong-willed, courageous, and vulnerable characters kids can easily identify with and also look up to. The show's voice acting and production are impeccable, which is a given coming from Gen-Z Media. But it's the thematic heft Nightingale carries that makes it a winner. Although the serious subject matter may be a lot for little ones (or possibly relatable), the fantastical elements balance out the heavier themes nicely. If anything, the parallels between the characters' journey into a magical world facing an unspeakable darkness only further highlight their real-life stories, making for a touching, empowering, and often emotional audio journey.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Nightingale combines serious real-life issues such as cancer treatment with fantastical elements. How do these two aspects of the show work together? Do they balance out well? How can stories like this help listeners understand heavier topics like cancer?
Nightingale's plot mostly focuses on the magical world of its title, but it doesn't shy away from the medical conditions of its characters. Why is it meaningful to have three main characters who are living with an illness featured in a podcast like this? Do they let their cancer diagnosis define them?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Robert Yaniz Jr.
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
