Is The Magicians appropriate for kids?

The Magicians is not appropriate for children due to mature content including sexual violence, graphic themes, and adult situations. The Syfy fantasy series carries a TV-14 rating but contains content that exceeds typical family-friendly programming.

Content warnings parents should consider

The Magicians features several elements that make the show unsuitable for younger audiences. The series depicts graphic sexual assault, with a major storyline involving the brutal rape of character Julia Wicker by the trickster god Reynard. The show received criticism from critics and fans for featuring 2 sexual assault survivors as antagonists and romanticizing suicidal ideation in later seasons.

The television program includes heavy drinking, drug use, and adult language throughout its 5-season run. Characters engage in frequent sexual situations and nudity, with main character Eliot Waugh characterized as a heavy drinker. The series also contains violence, horror elements, and dark fantasy themes involving dangerous magical worlds and monsters.

What’s the recommended viewing age for The Magicians?

The Magicians targets adult and mature teen audiences aged 16 and older. Parents should preview the content before allowing teenagers to watch, as sensitive topics like sexual violence, substance abuse, and suicide are central to multiple storylines. The fantasy premise based on Lev Grossman’s novels may appeal to young readers, but the television adaptation treats material with significantly darker and more explicit content than typical young adult fantasy programming.