Docuseries focuses on mental illness; has violence, drugs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
a lot
Reenactments and discussions of severe violence, including animal torture, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, murder, rape, and suicide. Brief images of dead bodies and blood during short reenactments. Descriptions are often graphic, and the emotional recounting by family members adds a layer of intensity to the presentation.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
Discusses topics like premarital pregnancy and elopement in a historical context and the traumatic sexual abuse that occurred within this family, with a detailed description of rape.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
Discusses recreational and problematic drug use among the children in the family, including underage drinking and the use of marijuana, speed, cocaine, mushrooms, acid, and cocaine. Partying and the drug culture of the 1960s and '70s are also mentioned. A person is shown rolling a marijuana joint during a reenactment scene.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.
Provides a deep insight into schizophrenia, focusing on both the mental illness itself and the genetic aspects that might contribute to its manifestation. Also delves into the historical treatment of mental illnesses, discussing outdated and sometimes barbaric medical practices, which gives viewers a well-rounded understanding of the challenges faced in the past and hopes for future breakthroughs.
Positive Messages
some
The series underscores the importance of understanding mental illness, not as a defining trait but as a condition that people manage. It touches on the family members' sense of familial duty and empathy as well as the need for greater societal support for mental health issues.
Positive Role Models
some
Mary, the sibling who helps care for her adult brothers despite being abused and traumatized by some of them, shows tremendous empathy and resilience. Despite the severe challenges, her commitment to family and compassion shines through.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Six Schizophrenic Brothers is a docuseries that discusses intense themes like mental illness, violence, and sexual abuse in graphic, sometimes disturbing detail. The violence referenced includes animal torture, domestic abuse, molestation, murder, rape, and suicide. There are also brief images of dead bodies and blood during short reenactments. It's suitable only for mature audiences who can handle complex and challenging content, but the series does underscore the importance of understanding mental illness, not as a defining trait but as a condition that people manage. It touches on the family members' sense of familial duty and empathy as well as the need for greater societal support for mental health issues and the scientific advances that have come from studying families like this one.
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Narrated by Mary Christine Galvin, the youngest of 12 children, SIX SCHIZOPHRENIC BROTHERS explores the profound impact of schizophrenia on her family. The series provides a harrowing look at their struggles, the family dynamics, and the broader societal reactions to mental health issues as well as the family's contributions to mental health research.
Is It Any Good?
Our review:
Parents say:Not yet rated
Kids say:Not yet rated
Both compelling and heartrending, this docuseries provides an intimate look into the effects of an unprecedented number of schizophrenia cases within a single family. Six Schizophrenic Brothers focuses on both personal stories and broader historical contexts. While the storytelling sometimes suffers from redundancy and pacing issues, the series is profound in its exploration of mental health, familial obligations, and societal stigma. Many of the details are also quite brutal. The emotional interviews and dramatic revelations make it a poignant watch that ends on a somewhat hopeful note due to the scientific advances made thanks to the study of families like the Galvins.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about mental health awareness. How does the Galvin family's experience highlight the importance of mental health support and understanding in society? What advances have been made since the Galvin boys were children?
What are some ways the family members coped with their circumstances? What more could have been done to support them?
Discuss the stigma associated with mental illness as depicted in the series. How can society move toward more supportive and less judgmental views? What has changed in the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses since the time period depicted in the series?
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
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 Stephanie Morgan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
