Barry (2018) Parents Guide: Is the series OK for kids?

Name: Barry
Rating: 7.9

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

A hit man from the Midwest moves to Los Angeles and gets caught up in the city's theatre arts scene.

TV-MA • 2018 • 4 seasons

7.9

1K+

Average rating by Bontent members

Age

17+

Barry is Bill Hader's dark comedy about a depressed Marine veteran and hitman from Cleveland who stumbles into an acting class in Los Angeles and finds himself desperately wanting to leave his violent life behind. Rated TV-MA throughout all four seasons, its primary content concerns are heavy and constant profanity, frequent and sometimes graphic gun violence, and a show-long exploration of PTSD, trauma, and the cycles of abuse. Sexual… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Bill Hader

Sarah Goldberg

Anthony Carrigan

Henry Winkler

Stephen Root

Robert Wisdom

Unlock ratings, reviews, recommendations and guides for all content types

Is Barry appropriate for kids?

Content severity in Barry Sign up for season-by-season breakdown

Substances Mild 2/10

Language Strong 6/10

Sex/Nudity Mild 2/10

Violence/Gore Intense 8/10

Mature Themes Intense 8/10

Sex and nudity in Barry

Minimal. A same-sex relationship between NoHo Hank and Cristobal (two rival crime bosses) begins developing this season â handled with warmth and no explicit content. Sally's ex-boyfriend Sam's abusive behavior toward her, including a scene where Barry nearly shoots him, is depicted with serious dramatic weight.

Violence and gore in Barry

Episode 4 ('What?!') features Barry coming perilously close to shooting Sally during a confrontation with Sam â one of the most disturbing moments of the series because of its context. Episode 5 ('ronny/lily') is the season's violence peak: a nearly unbroken extended fight between Barry and a martial artist, then between Barry/Fuches and the man's feral 12-year-old daughter Lily â brutal, chaotic, and played simultaneously for horror and dark absurdist comedy. A chunk of Fuches's cheek is bitten off. The…

Language in Barry

Heavy and constant throughout every episode â approximately 15â20 f-words per episode, alongside 'shât,' 'cânt,' 'bâtch,' and other strong profanity. This is the show's most consistent TV-MA qualifier and never lets up across any of the four seasons.

Mature themes in Barry

Season 4 is explicitly about legacy, myth-making, and the gap between who we are and how we're remembered. Gene fabricates a heroic version of his role in Barry's arrest and watches it become a movie. Barry tries to build a quiet life while knowing what he is. The show's final episodes ask whether redemption is possible for someone who has done what Barry has done â and decline to provide a comforting answer. Sally's PTSD from her killing in Season 3 haunts her throughout. The finale is a genuinely shocking and…

Bontent Member Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Barry appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests Barry is best for ages 17+. It's rated TV-MA. Barry is Bill Hader's dark comedy about a depressed Marine veteran and hitman from Cleveland who stumbles into an acting class in Los Angeles and finds himself desperately wanting to leave his violent life behind. Rated…

What age rating does Barry have?

Barry is rated TV-MA. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 17+.

What is Barry about?

How many seasons does Barry have?

Barry has 4 seasons covered in this parent guide. Sign up to see a season-by-season breakdown.

Is there sex or nudity in Barry?

Our reviewers didn't note meaningful sexual content across Barry.

How violent is Barry?

Violence isn't a standout concern across Barry per our reviewers.

Is the language in Barry appropriate for kids?

Strong language isn't flagged across Barry.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Barry?