So, here we have a show that is essentially about angels and demons and the end of the world, which, at first look, wouldn’t come across as strictly for mature audiences. However, ‘Good Omens’, available on Amazon Prime, has received a rating of 16+. But why? Let’s find out!
Amazon Prime’s adaptation of the fantasy novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett has made a place of its own in the high ranks of people. ‘Good Omens’ has cooked up a storm as Michael Sheen and David Tennant brought into life the hilarious dynamics between an angel, Aziraphale, and a demon, Crowley, on earth’s surface. It isn’t just a sweet fairy tale about angels and demons though. ‘Good Omens’ has received a 16+ rating one Amazon Prime. Here’s why.
Highlights —
- ‘Good Omens’ has a rating of 16+
- IMDB has labelled ‘Good Omens’ TV-MA
- Are the parents concerned?
‘Good Omens’ has a rating of 16+
Before we get into the what and the why of Amazon Prime’s rating of ‘Good Omens’, it is important to understand what the content of ‘Good Omens’ is essentially about. ‘Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch’ began first as a novel, written by Gaiman and Pratchett and published in 1990. Last year, Amazon Prime adapted the novel into a six-episode mini-series and surprisingly managed to reach a completely new line of audience.
As the story unfolds, we see an angel all sweet and absent-minded, form a warm friendship with the Bentley driving demon punk. Crowley, the demon had acted irresponsibly some eleven years back and had placed baby antichrist with a middle-class English family, which turns out of to be a ticking time bomb really. Realizing the irreversible consequence that could come out of the antichrist (who’s now all grown up and ready to destroy the world), our precious angel and demon battle to prevent “Armageddon”.
As it turns out, Amazon has given ‘Good Omens’ an overall rating of 13+. However, some of the episodes have been rated as 16+. While episode 2 and episode 3 have received a 13+ rating, episodes 1, 4, 5 and 6 have been rated 16+. To be fair, since most of the episodes have been rated as 16+ with the exception of just two in this six-episode mini-series, it could be said that the whole series has a rating of 16+, technically, we mean.
IMDB has labelled ‘Good Omens’ TV-MA
Since we are on the topic of the rating of ‘Good Omens’, it is not just Amazon that has labelled it as suitable for a mature audience, but also IMDB that has rated the series as TV-MA. For the uninitiated, TV-MA is the rating a show receives to establish that the content might present graphic violence, foul language, graphic or sexual nudity, or a mishmash of two or all of these. The TV-MA rating generally means that the content is strictly for mature audiences to enjoy. In fact, sometimes just some rough dialogues are enough to land a show with this rating.
According to the IMDB’s parent guide for ‘Good Omens’, most scenes from the show have been labelled as “mild” except for a few intense and frightening scenes which have been called “moderate”. “Sex & Nudity” category has been rated mild with a few descriptive details, mostly tagging them as non-sexual. For example, it mentions the brief onscreen portrayal of a nude woman walking away from the camera, although non-sexual. There are other words and scenes used, which although could be called mildly sexual, do not do enough to cast an impression.
The “Violence & Gore”, “Profanity”, “Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking” categories have similarly received a “mild” tag. Most of the “frightening & intense” scenes have been called mild. However, under the same category is mentioned one scene that could be quite out there. IMDB explains,
“Adam and his hell hound can be quite scary, especially when Adam is coming into his power”.
Are the parents concerned?
Notwithstanding the Amazon Prime or IMDB’s rating for ‘Good Omens’, what it really comes down to, in the end, is if the parents think the content to be age-appropriate for children below 16+ years. Apparently, parents are a lot cooler than IMDB or Amazon. A parent said,
“My 10-year-old daughter enjoyed it almost as much as I did, and I liked her questions and comments, it was not just entertaining, but it made her think and ponder. Yes, there is some swearing and a hint to sex, but I was OK with it. So was she”.
Another parent wrote,
“This is a phenomenal show that is sure to be enjoyable for a wide age range. There are a couple violent/dark scenes but no blood or gore at all. There’s one sex scene but very brief and no nudity. There is a reference to prostitution and pornography. Language is infrequent but fairly strong, few “shit”s and 3 instances of (*whispers*) the fuck word. Overall an excellent, quirky show with great acting, interesting storyline, and hilarious scenes. Younger kids, teens, and adults will enjoy”.
It all just boils down to your level of comfort in the end. Do you think the rating of 16+ by Amazon for ‘Good Omens’ is right? Let us know in the comments below!
