Drama
Andor
The critically acclaimed Star Wars series ‘Andor’ is back. For fans, it is a return to form. For families, the show is still potentially a ride through an asteroid belt.
Lyssia needs a new leader.
You see, long ago, Lyssia and the Seven Realms were ruled by benevolent leaders known as Werelords. These leaders could shapeshift from their human forms into shark, stag, rat or bear forms, and they used to submit to the noble Wolf Werelord. Under the Wolf’s rule, the Seven Realms of Lyssia enjoyed peace and unity.
That is until the Lions came.
After killing as many Wolves as they could find and usurping power, the Lions spread propaganda that the Wolf Werelord was a tyrant. Led by King Leopold, the Lions now instill fear throughout the land.
But thanks to Drew Ferren, hope might not be entirely lost.
Until recently, Drew was just an ordinary boy. He lives with his loving parents, Mack and Tilly. He teases his brother, Trent. He does chores for his family.
But something changes on the eve of the Hunter’s Moon. While Mack and Trent work in the fields Tilly insists that Drew must leave their home for a town called Brackenholme.
“You’re not like the rest of us,” she says.
But before she can explain further, a strange creature sneaks into the house and attacks Tilly. Despite Drew’s best efforts to save her—including an odd moment where he grows wolf-like claws—Tilly dies.
When Mack and Trent return, they find a beast-like Drew lurking over Tilly’s dead body.
“I should never have left her with you,” says Mack.
Believing that Drew and his newfound shape-shifting abilities are to blame, Mack and Trent chase Drew out of the village.
But on his exodus away, Drew learns that he is the last living relative of the Wolf Werelord. And it’s up to him to rebel and put an end to the tyranny of King Leopold and the Lions.
Based on the Wereworld book series by Curtis Jobling, Netflix’s Wolf King ambitiously tackles a multipart fantasy story, utilizing a fresh animation style and a captivating adventure narrative.
Like another Netflix children’s fantasy show, Dragon Prince, the content in Wolf King appears to be more suited for older children despite the TV-Y7 rating. For example, both good and evil characters participate in fight scenes, which often result in injury or death. Although these deaths and injuries are not gruesome, some scrapes can be seen, and the characters are often clearly in pain. Additionally, many of these altercations are between humans and frightening-looking creatures who seemingly take pride in their ability to jump-scare both characters and viewers.
There are also some magical elements in Wolf King. The human shapeshifters are presented as both good and evil forces, and their powers appear to be somewhat supernatural. Additionally, Drew encounters creatures known as the Wyldermen, who worship other creatures by creating shrines and killing humans. There is also an evil magician character who supernaturally summons objects and claims to be able to transfigure humans against their will.
Although the show presents a compelling message about fighting for what is right, this show comes with teeth. And parents should be aware that it can come back and bite you.
(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at [email protected], or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out.)
Drew’s life changes forever when he gets blamed for the murder of his mother. After he flees his hometown, pursued by the real culprit, Drew meets a girl named Whitley who helps him navigate a dark forest. All the while, Drew discovers that he might have powers that could save Lyssia and the Seven Realms.
During a tense scene, a monster breaks into a home and attacks a woman, who is thrown to the floor. Later, the monster kills the woman, though this action is only implied, and viewers see the woman’s dead body in the aftermath. A frightening creature with red eyes stalks Drew throughout the episode. Another frightening creature attempts to eat Drew. A father threatens his son with a sword and intentionally stabs at him. (The sword does make contact with the skin, leaving a mark). A teenage boy attempts to kill his brother. A man gets punctured by an arrow and collapses. A character fights droves of evil creatures by clawing at and presumably killing them.
A character’s eyes begin to glow, and he magically turns into a wolf. A flesh wound gets healed by magic. Characters encounter a large collection of human bones organized into a shrine. We hear that creatures known as Wyldermen worship a large spider as their god.
While two brothers tease each other, one throws an apple at the other’s head.
A Lion prince named Prince Lucas realizes the rumored return of a Wolf Werelord might threaten his authority. Meanwhile, Drew attempts to escape a prison cell in Brackenholme so he can speak with Duke Bergan.
Armed troops steal fruit from a civilian and later push him to the ground when he protests. A character fights armed guards, who push him to the floor and threaten him. A girl throws fruit at people. During fight scenes, characters are kicked and punched in their heads. A beast-like creature scratches someone, who sustains injuries on his hand. A character transfigures into a terrifying werewolf who snarls and has red eyes.
A magician supernaturally summons an object. Later, he uses magic to change the physical properties of an object. This magician supervises an apprentice, who he attempts to teach magical hexes and curses. A character transforms into a beast-like creature and behaves violently.
A character refers to someone as a “brat.” Someone calls a character “stupid.”
The critically acclaimed Star Wars series ‘Andor’ is back. For fans, it is a return to form. For families, the show is still potentially a ride through an asteroid belt.
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