Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence, sex, cursing, pot in edgy South African teen show.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Classified
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
CLASSIFIED follows Ella Gardner, a teen who lives in Oakland, California with her mom, goes to high school, and enjoys hanging out with her friends. But when a protest she's participating in turns violent, she gets herself arrested after throwing a molotov cocktail into a police car in reaction to her friend getting beat up by officers. Law enforcement wants to charge Ella as an adult, which could lead to a long prison sentence. But her estranged father, Gabe, who lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, manages to get her released into his custody. Ella is sent to live with her him, stepmother Dianne (Christine Horn), and her younger half-brother Kwame (Omhels Tshabalala) to finish high school. Despite living a much more privileged life in Johannesburg, Ella can only think about finding her way back to California. But soon she discovers that her new life is shrouded in secrets that might put her life, and that of those around her, in danger.
Is It Any Good?
The far-fetched South African series, which is deemed a comedy by some and a drama by others, combines a teenage girl's coming- of-age story with some of the adventures associated with spy movies. It also offers brief (but obvious) commentary on a wide range of social issues, including racism, drugs and drug smuggling, and economic disparity. All of this makes Classified feel unfocused, especially since it revolves around a homesick teenager trying to find her place.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about life in Johannesburg, South Africa. There are obvious differences between Johannesburg and Oakland, California, but did Ella find any similarities?
Is Classified is a comedy or a drama? Is it both? How do differences between U.S. and South African cultures affect the way viewers interpret the overall series?
TV Details
- Premiere date: August 22, 2024
- Cast: Imani Pullum , Christine Horn , Sule Rimi
- Network: Amazon Prime Video
- Genre: Drama
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: September 3, 2024
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