Santa Clarita Diet (2017) Parents Guide: Is the series OK for kids?

Sexual content is moderate, focusing on Sheila's heightened libido and its impact on her marriage with Joel. There are passionate kissing scenes and suggestive dialogue. While sex is implied between the married couple, no explicit nudity or sex acts are shown. There's a comedic scene where a character jokes about his mother masturbating.

Violence and gore are severe and pervasive. Sheila's need to consume human flesh leads to explicit depictions of dismembered body parts, bones, intestines, and copious amounts of blood. Characters are killed, sometimes suddenly and graphically, though the actual act of killing is often implied or off-screen, followed by gruesome aftermath. The dismemberment and preparation of bodies are shown in detail, often with a darkly comedic tone. Fantastical elements like Mr. Ball Legs also provide moments of grotesque…

Frequent strong language is used throughout the season, including numerous uses of "f**k," "sh*t," and other profanity. Teenagers Abby and Eric also use strong language. The language is often used for comedic effect or to express frustration with the characters' bizarre situation.

Substance use is mild, with occasional social drinking by adult characters. There's a plot point involving a dead body found with a syringe in its arm, suggesting drug use, but this is an isolated incident and not a pervasive theme. Cannabis use is mentioned or implied at a party scene.

Mature themes include murder, cannibalism, moral ambiguity, and the challenges of maintaining a normal life while dealing with extraordinary circumstances. The Hammonds grapple with the ethical implications of Sheila's condition and their actions, exploring concepts of identity, humanity, and family loyalty in extreme situations. Abby also deals with teenage angst and rebellion in the context of her mother's condition.