The White Lotus parents' guide: Is the HBO dark comedy drama suitable for kids?

The White Lotus was released on July 11, 2021. Currently, the HBO series has had 3 seasons, and is producing Season 4. Since its launch, the show has sparked a lot of discussion and opened the awards vault, with Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, and Critics’ Choice Awards all being part of the accolades.

While Season 1 had an impressive 9 million U.S. viewers on HBO's cable, ratings continued to rise with Season 2, and the Season 3 finale had the most impressive viewer turnout at 6.2 million. With all this buzz and interest, parents are starting to contemplate whether this series is appropriate for younger audiences.

For parents who have not watched the series and want a simple answer, the answer is no. The series has an official TV MA rating, meaning that children should not watch the show. TV MA means that the show is intended for mature audiences, generally over the age of 17. The show displays explicit s*xual content, full frontal nudity, obscenities, drug use, and adult themes.

Is The White Lotus suitable for kids?

The White Lotus is rated TV-MA (Mature Audience) on HBO, meaning it is aimed at adults 17 years of age and above and is not meant for children and young teens. The show is characterized by graphic s*xual scenes, regular full-frontal nudity, heavy profanity, drug use, and adult themes:

S*xual content and nudity

The show is full of sexual scenes, some of which are graphic, with explicit nudity of both genders. The White Lotus Season 3 particularly has several nude scenes featuring characters like Patrick Schwarzenegger, Jason Isaacs, and Sam Nivola, and some episodes include full frontal nudity of males. The series has not been shy of contentious and provocative s*xual material, such as implied incestuous overtones between siblings, explicit s*xual activity, sapphicism, and s*xual misconduct at work. Nudity and eroticism are also prevalent in the party and club scenes.

Profanity and language

Extensive and constant cussing is part of the series, and characters often say things like the f-word, s-word, and there is offensive swearing going on all the time. The language tends to parallel explicit discussion of s*x, power relations, and social manipulation.

Substance use

Drug and alcohol abuse are heavily depicted in the series. Characters also indulge in cocaine, marijuana, recreational drugs, and alcohol, and they indulge in them casually and recklessly. Scenes of drug/alcohol abuse binges involve multiple characters taking illegal drugs and prescription drugs.

Violence and disturbing themes

Although there is not a great deal of on-screen violence, the series also features other aspects such as gaslighting, manipulation, stalking, and abuse of a psychological kind. The episodes are also highly serious and dramatic, as the series starts when a body is discovered face down, floating in a lagoon (season 3). Verbal altercations and rows between characters also maintain a frenzied atmosphere.

Official certification ratings worldwide

The show carries mature ratings globally:

United States: TV-MA (adults only)
United Kingdom: 15+ (graphic s*x and drug use)
Australia: MA15+
New Zealand: R16-18
Canada: 16-18+
India: A (adults only)
Various other countries: 16 or 18+ based on graphic content

Parental recommendations

The White Lotus is not just suitable for children or young teenagers because of its explicit s*xual content, nudity, heavy language, drug use, and adult themes. In case older teenagers (17+), parental discretion is recommended due to the provocative and serious nature of the discussion. Parents are advised to watch episodes before letting their teens watch, discuss issues that are difficult to understand, including consent and privilege, and establish proper boundaries in watching.

What is The White Lotus about?

The White Lotus is a sunny paradise that looks like a postcard come to life, but the people in it are far from it. Imagine throwing a bunch of wealthy, self-absorbed guests at a glossy resort in Hawaii, Sicily, Thailand, and letting the truth of who they are begin to crumple. This is the entire premise.

Every season of the show is basically the same set-up, moving the location to a new amazing place that could easily be mistaken for somewhere surreal, and then peeling the layers back to reveal the putrid nature of human behavior when money and ego get involved. The show sets you up with glittering reminders: Tropical drinks, infinity pools, and the Instagram-worthy goals package.

After a short while, you begin to see the wealthy guests start to show their true selves. Entitlement galore and privilege everywhere. They absolutely believe the world (or the staff) revolves around them, and why wouldn’t they? It always has been. The hotel workers, on the other hand, are dealing with the guests, their own baggage, and a system that has them treated as an afterthought.

It is nearly absurd if it were not so disturbing. The White Lotus is a social critique, ridiculing the wealthy with sharp wit without ever letting you forget that, below all that glimmer and glamour, things are unraveling. It underscores a tension: Everyone is smiling, raising their glasses, yet you just know one of them is going to blow at any moment. The employees are ignored or treated terribly, while the visitors descend into extra layers of complicating their own mess. It is paradise made from quicksand, just waiting for someone to sink.

The White Lotus combines comedy and suspense, with just enough tragedy to keep you guessing who makes it out alive. For instance, in season 1, we have newlyweds Shane and Rachel fighting about everything, while Armond, the manager, loses his mind and sobriety, all culminating in a murder at the end.

Season 2 and season 3 never skip a beat. New guests arrive, new locations provide the backdrop, and the proverbial drama escalates. There are crimes, lies, infidelities, and everyone brings a secret that adds to the tension, while the lush beauty makes it even more remarkable.

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