Content guide
Skip for under 13
Stranger Things S1 E1, “The Vanishing of Will Byers”, scores 3/5 for violence, 1/5 for sex and 4/5 for language, for an overall kid-rating of 4/5 — Skip for under 13. On his way home from a friend's house, young Will sees something terrifying. Nearby, a sinister secret lurks in the depths of a government lab.
Across the episode we counted 17 flagged moments in 4 themes: Violence & injury (3); Swearing (12); Homophobic jokes (1); Sexual insults (1). Every moment below is either a direct quote from the episode transcript or a short description of what happens on screen, so you can decide before you press play.
Parents need to know
Age 13+Homophobic jokes, language, violence in live-action sci-fi.
Parents need to know that Stranger Things S1 E1, "The Vanishing of Will Byers", is a live-action sci-fi episode. The series is known for horror and violence swing hard by episode — the query parents actually search. Driven by homophobic jokes (explicit, in dialogue), with swearing alongside it. Violence includes [Mike] Something is coming. Something hungry for blood. Language includes strong swearing — for example, We're in deep shit. -Will, your action!. This episode includes homophobic jokes — for example, [softy] Called him a fag. This episode includes sexual insults — for example, You mean, you're not a slut. Every flagged moment below is a direct quote from the transcript or a short description of what happens on screen.
Watch for — every moment, theme by theme
Violence & injury 3 moments
How Violence & injury shows up in Stranger Things S1 E1:
[Mike] Something is coming. Something hungry for blood.
- guns cocking
Did it have any blood on it, or-- -No, no, no, no, no...
Swearing 12 moments
How Swearing shows up in Stranger Things S1 E1:
We're in deep shit. -Will, your action!
Oh, shit! -[Lucas] Where'd it go?
Son of a bitch.
Assholes. -[Mike] I think it's kinda cool.
Bitch! -[Jonathan] Mom.
It's because she's been dating that douchebag, Steve Harrington.
[Joyce] Where the hell are they?
[Karen] Oh, Joyce, hi. -What the hell, Mike?
Hey, Chief. -Damn! You look like hell, Chief.
One at a damn time. You.
No! -You're just pissed off
Her new boyfriend. -You are such a douchebag, Mike!
Homophobic jokes 1 moment
How Homophobic jokes shows up in Stranger Things S1 E1:
[softy] Called him a fag.
Sexual insults 1 moment
How Sexual insults shows up in Stranger Things S1 E1:
You mean, you're not a slut.
Watch With The Kids · Your kids — your rules! · Informal parent guidance, not an official rating.