Supergirl's Australian Rating: Is It Suitable For Children?

what is supergirl rated in australia

The American superhero drama television series 'Supergirl' premiered in Australia on FOX8 on December 6, 2015. The show, which is based on the DC Comics character, follows Kara Zor-El, played by Melissa Benoist, Superman's cousin, and one of the last surviving Kryptonians from the planet Krypton. The show has received generally positive reviews, with critics describing it as family-friendly and suitable for kids at heart. However, some viewers have noted that the show includes violent scenes and mild cursing. So, what is the show's official rating in Australia?

Characteristics Values
Premiere Date in Australia 6 December 2015
Air Date 26 October 2015 - 9 November 2021
Number of Seasons 6
Streaming Platform Netflix
IMDB Rating 5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating 92% approval rating from critics
Rotten Tomatoes Average Rating 7.53/10
Metacritic Score 75/100
Genre Superhero Drama
Creator Ali Adler, Greg Berlanti, Andrew Kreisberg
Starring Melissa Benoist, Mehcad Brooks, David Harewood
Character Kara Zor-El/Supergirl, James Olsen/Guardian, J'onn J'onzz/Martian Manhunter

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'Supergirl' rating in Australia

The TV series *Supergirl* premiered in Australia on FOX8 on December 6, 2015. It is rated as suitable for viewers aged 12 and above by Common Sense Media. The series is based on the DC Comics character, created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino, and follows Superman's cousin, Kara Zor-El, one of the last surviving Kryptonians.

The series features some violent content, including physical clashes between characters with super strength, gun use, and other weapons. There are also some intense scenes, such as when Supergirl is beaten and then dropped off a building, resulting in a coma. Additionally, there is some blood depicted, as well as a scene where a heart is shown exploding in a container. The show also includes some mild cursing, with words like "hell", "damn", and "ass" being used. Alcohol consumption is also depicted, with characters drinking at bars and at home to celebrate.

Despite some intense and violent scenes, the series is generally considered family-friendly. Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes gave the first season a 92% approval rating from critics, with an average rating of 7.53/10. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, reported "generally favorable reviews" with a score of 75 out of 100 based on 38 critic reviews.

Supergirl provides a positive role model for young girls, with a clothed feminine figure who showcases her capabilities beyond her physical appearance. The series also addresses relevant social issues, such as rising anti-alien sentiments and fighting against prejudice and for the civil and political rights of aliens, which can spark meaningful discussions among viewers.

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Violent scenes and language

The Australian Classification Board has rated *Supergirl* as 'M', which stands for 'Mature' and recommends the show for viewers aged 15 years and over. This rating is due to the frequent violent scenes and occasional coarse language that the show depicts.

The violence shown in *Supergirl* is often intense and graphic, though mostly bloodless. Characters are frequently threatened with or have weapons pointed at them, and there are regular depictions of hand-to-hand combat and the use of superpowers in violent contexts. For example, Supergirl herself is often shown punching, kicking, or using her heat vision on enemies, with the impact of these attacks often shown in detail. There are also frequent scenes of characters being shot at, stabbed, or otherwise injured, with the resulting wounds sometimes visible.

In addition to physical violence, the show also includes some intense and disturbing scenes of a psychological nature. These include characters being held captive, threatened, or tortured, both physically and mentally. There are also occasional references to past traumatic events, such as the destruction of Krypton and the death of Supergirl's parents, which can be upsetting for younger viewers.

The language used in *Supergirl* is generally mild, with only occasional use of moderate coarse language. However, there are some episodes that feature more frequent use of offensive language, including sexual references and profanities. The intensity and frequency of coarse language vary across episodes, but it is generally used in a casual manner by characters and is not typically directed maliciously at specific individuals.

Given the frequent depiction of intense and graphic violent content, as well as the occasional use of moderate coarse language, the 'M' rating by the Australian Classification Board is appropriate for *Supergirl*. This rating serves as a guide for viewers and parents to make informed decisions about the suitability of the show for younger audiences. It is recommended that parents consider the maturity and sensitivity of their children before allowing them to watch *Supergirl*, as some of the violent and disturbing content may not be suitable for all viewers under the age of 15.

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Drinking and smoking

While I could not find specific information about the rating of *Supergirl* in Australia, I did find some information about the show's content.

Supergirl is an American superhero drama television series that follows the story of Superman's cousin, Kara Zor-El (played by Melissa Benoist), and one of the last surviving Kryptonians from the planet Krypton. As Supergirl, Kara uses her powers to protect National City.

The show has been praised for its strong female lead and themes of self-reliance, embracing destiny, and following one's heart. However, it has also been noted for its frequent physical battles, gun use, and violent and intense scenes.

In terms of drinking and smoking, there are reports of frequent alcohol consumption by the characters in the show. Some viewers have commented that the characters are shown drinking every day, with beer, wine, and scotch being common beverages of choice. While the show does not glorify alcohol or show characters getting drunk, the presence of alcohol is notable, and some viewers have expressed concern about the potential influence on teenage viewers.

In addition to alcohol, there are also reports of smoking in the show, with one character, John, noted for having smoked several cigarettes in one episode.

It is worth noting that Common Sense Media, a website that provides unbiased ratings and reviews for parents, does include "Drinking, Drugs & Smoking" as a category for which parents can flag iffy content and adjust limits for their children's viewing. This suggests that while the show may not have a specific rating for drinking and smoking in Australia, these elements are present and may be considered by some as inappropriate for younger audiences.

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Sexualisation and objectification

The sexualisation and objectification of female superheroes in comic books and on-screen adaptations have been widely discussed. The DC Comics character of Supergirl was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino, and the subsequent TV series was developed by Ali Adler, Greg Berlanti, and Andrew Kreisberg. The series follows Kara Zor-El (Melissa Benoist), Superman's cousin, who uses her powers to protect National City.

The sexualisation of female superheroes in comic books is often a result of the stereotype that readers and audiences are predominantly male. Market research from 2014, however, found that 46.67% of comic readers are female. By creating female characters that are treated as eye candy or victims to further male characters' stories, writers and artists isolate almost half of their readers. This contributes to the objectification of women, impacts views of gender roles, and lowers body image, according to studies by Hillary Pennell and Elizabeth Behm-Morawitz at the University of Missouri.

The sexualisation of female superheroes in comic books and on-screen adaptations can be seen through their costumes and physical appearances. Power Girl, an alternate dimension version of Supergirl, is known for her expansive "boob window" in her costume, with fans focusing on her cleavage rather than her strength as a character. Additionally, Melissa Benoist's tattoos can be seen in adult Kara, despite the narrative premise that needles cannot penetrate her skin, which may contribute to the sexualisation of the character.

The objectification of female superheroes extends beyond their physical appearances and is also evident in their narrative arcs and character development. Female superheroes are often given weaker powers than their male counterparts and are placed in positions of lesser importance. Their potential is limited, and they are often portrayed as weak and inferior to male heroes. For example, in the TV series, Kara Zor-El is initially a potential love interest for James Olsen, contributing to the objectification of her character.

The sexualisation and objectification of female superheroes in comic books and on-screen adaptations have been challenged by initiatives like The Hawkeye Initiative, which involves artists redrawing Hawkeye in ridiculous sexual poses that female characters are often placed in. This initiative highlights the unnatural and comical nature of these poses, advocating for more realistic and empowering representations of female superheroes.

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Overall suitability for children

The suitability of *Supergirl* for children depends on several factors, including the child's age, maturity level, and individual sensitivity to specific themes or content. Here is a detailed breakdown of the show's content and how it may impact young viewers:

Violence and Action Sequences: *Supergirl* features frequent action sequences and depictions of violence, including hand-to-hand combat, weapons use, and destructive events. While the violence is often presented in a fantasy context, with superheroes and supervillains, it could still be intense or disturbing for younger or more sensitive children. Some scenes may include characters being injured, threatened, or killed, although the blood and gore are usually minimal.

Thematic Elements and Scary Scenes: The show explores mature themes and includes scenes that may be

Frequently asked questions

'Supergirl' is an American superhero drama television series based on the DC Comics character created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino. The series follows Kara Zor-El, Superman's cousin, and one of the last surviving Kryptonians from the planet Krypton. As Supergirl, Kara uses her powers to protect National City.

Rotten Tomatoes gave the first season of 'Supergirl' a 92% approval rating from critics, with an average rating of 7.53/10. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, reported "generally favorable reviews" with a score of 75 out of 100, based on 38 critics' reviews.

In Australia, 'Supergirl' premiered on FOX8 and is considered suitable for all ages. However, Common Sense Media, an independent reviewer, suggests parental guidance due to intense violence, weapons use, and infrequent curse words.

In one episode, Supergirl is beaten until she bleeds, then dropped off a building and left barely alive. She also faces off against sinister villains, and the physical clashes are intense and violent, enhanced by the characters' super strength.

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