Dark Winds parents guide: Is the AMC drama suitable for kids?

Dark Winds is a show where uncertainty, sorrow, and crime all unfold in a desert. The AMC drama follows through with the story of Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee as they face crimes that make us known to the deep wounds inside their community.

While the show has been appreciated for its Indigenous storytelling and cinematography, many parents wonder if the show is suitable for kids to watch. The short answer? Not really, it isn't appropriate for kids to be watching it. Its extreme violence, disturbing imagery, and mature themes made solely for adults, make this AMC show better suited for older teens and adults.

Looking through the cultural and emotional complexity behind Dark Winds’ intensity

Dark Winds isn't your typical crime show because, yes, it has depth, but it is a show that is also culturally and historically rich with a morality that is quite heavy. The show has been set in the 1970s, and it looks at the lives of Navajo police officers trying to juggle between duty and dealing with their cultural identity.

The narrative here, quite often than not looks at many themes such as loss, colonial injustice, and conflict with morality, and this in turn gives the show a grounded tone.

However, these are the same qualities that also make it intense for kids to watch the series. The narratives here include disturbing scenes like murder inquiries, torturing people, and crime scenes that should not be exposed to kids. Some scenes also show dead animals, which could easily cause psychological harm to kids or even pre-teens.

The language used is also foul, with constant use of profanity and use of strong curse words. Add to that, there are also a few scenes that involve nudity, and it becomes clear that this is not a light family show, which in turn pushes it firmly into the TV-MA rating.

Violence, realism, and storytelling: Why Dark Winds earns its mature rating?

The representation of realism in Dark Winds is also what makes it inappropriate for kids to watch and be exposed to. The AMC show does not shy away from depicting the brutality of crimes on screen. Murders and extreme shootouts are common across most episodes.

The heist scene alone plays out like an action film, a scene that is filled with gunfire and bullets. Later episodes also show a man who has been found dead with his throat cut open and with his eyes missing, while other scenes display corpses that are rotten or evidence that has been stained by blood.

These visuals are created to elevate the anxiety and closely mirror the dark state of all of the characters. Characters smoke, drink, and take part in discourse about colonialism, injustice, and trauma, all important cultural discourse, but topics that might be far too complicated for children to process.

For parents wondering whether or not to let their teens watch, it is necessary to consider the emotional maturity of the show. The series's slow-burning storytelling and undertones are meant to be taken in thoughtfully, not simply watched for entertainment. In short, while the AMC show is a beautifully made and culturally rich series, it isn't made for kids and is made for an adult audience ready to engage with its storytelling.

Dark Winds may fascinate adults with its storytelling and cultural accuracy, but the violence, language, and dark themes make it unsuitable for kids to watch.

Parents should approach with caution, especially for those under the age of 17. For young adults and adults, however, the show does give off something rare: A story that is as intellectually rich as it is emotionally powerful.

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