Netflix’s Shadow and Bone Season 2 continues to amaze. It is bigger, bolder, and braver. Check out the details in my parents guide review.
Netflix’s Shadow and Bone season 2 released on the streaming service today, March 16th. The series brings back Jessie Mei Li (Alina), Archie Renaux (Mal), Ben Barnes (The Darkling), Freddy Carter (Kaz), Amita Suman (Inej), Kit Young (Jesper), Danielle Galligan (Nina), Calahan Skogman (Matthias), Jack Wolfe (Wylan), Patrick Gibson (Nikolai), Zoe Wanamaker (Baghra), Daisy Head (Gnya), and Luke Pasqualino (David). The series is based 0n the popular novels Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows, and is created by Eric Heisserer, who is known for Bird Box and Arrival. Check out the details in my parents guide review.
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Netflix’s Shadow and Bone Season 2 Quotes
Shadow and Bone Season 2 Parents Guide
In Shadow and Bone Season 2: Alina Starkov is on the run. A beacon of hope to some and a suspected traitor to others, she’s determined to bring down the Shadow Fold and save Ravka from ruin. But General Kirigan has returned to finish what he started. Backed by a terrifying new army of seemingly indestructible shadow monsters and fearsome new Grisha recruits, Kirigan is more dangerous than ever. To stand a fighting chance against him, Alina and Mal rally their own powerful new allies and begin a continent-spanning journey to find two mythical creatures that will amplify her powers. Back in Ketterdam, the Crows must forge new alliances as they contend with old rivals and even older grudges that threaten not only their place in the Barrel, but their very lives. When a chance at a deadly heist comes their way, the Crows will once again find themselves on a collision course with the legendary Sun Summoner.
Shadow and Bone Season 2 Age Rating Parents Guide
Let’s take a look at what parents need to know about the age rating of the movie before letting their younger children watch Shadow and Bone Season 2.
Language: Shadow and Bone Season 2 contains some strong language, with light profanity used throughout. Stronger words include one use of the word f*ck, b*st*rd, d*mn, hell, and some inappropriate sexual references like “dip your wick.”
Mature Content: Other than the bad language mentioned above, the other big indicators of adult themes include strong, persistent violence and some sexual content. Violent scenes include hand-to-hand combat, sword fights, gun fights, dark forces and creepy monsters that attack and kill. Characters are shown being shot in the neck, shot and killed, having their heads severed, and even beaten to the brink of death. The series also includes some sex scenes that show characters making out, naked under sheets, and while the act of sex isn’t shown on screen, it is implied. Characters are also shown consuming alcoholic beverages.
Age Rating of Shadow and Bone Season 2: Netflix’s Shadow and Bone Season 2 has a MA rating for intense violence, language, and sexual content, and the parents’ advisory recommends it for an adult audience, younger adults, and teens 17 and older. The suggestion of parental guidance or an adult guardian is highly suggested for younger kids (or older kids) under 17 years of age for this MA-rated film. The minimum age recommendation is 16 years old; it is not suitable for young children. Young viewers are not recommended to view this film.
Overall Thoughts
Netflix’s Shadow and Bone season 2 pretty much picks up where season 1 left off, after Alina (Mei Li) unsuccessfully attempted to stop the Fold and is now on a mission to amplify her powers so that she can succeed in her mission. In season 1, viewers saw the magical world come to life, including gorgeous costumes, alluring sets, and magnificent CGI effects. Filmmakers kicked it up a notch this season with a bigger and more alluring set and enhanced CGI that gives the world a welcoming feeling for viewers to ease into and enjoy their stay. The one complaint, visually speaking, that persisted in season 1 and continues into the current season is the literal “darkness” of the series. Watching this during the daytime hours, at times this viewer struggled to see images and sequences clearly, giving strain to the eyes.
The cast of Shadow and Bone season 2 is strong, and each cast member continues to grow into their character, which shows particularly in Jessie Mei Li (Alina), who was practically a newcomer when she joined the cast last season. Not only does Mei Li have terrific chemistry with both of her leading men this season, making for intense moments when she shares the screen with the duo, she also pulls off the confidence and commands the attention of viewers. Archie Renaux (Mal) gets more screentime this time around and is able to showcase more of his skills and give justice to his character. As a consequence of Renaux being given more screentime, this time around we see a little less of The Darkling (Ben Barnes), who is still a major part of this season but doesn’t have as big a part in driving the story along. Barnes is such a charismatic character as The Darkling, and even though he has less screentime, he makes the most of the moments he is onscreen while also making way for new and existing characters, most notably Patrick Gibson, who plays the privateer Sturmhond aka Ravka Prince Nikolai Lantsov. While Gibson makes his way into the series to the apprehension of some viewers (at least those who haven’t read the books and are unfamiliar with the story), he quickly gains the trust of viewers and will have them rooting for him.
As stated in the synopsis, Shadow and Bone season 2 has a main goal of bringing down the Shadow Fold to save Ravka from ruin, although there are some subplots, like storylines that involve the Crows, which, if I’m being honest, aren’t as interesting as Alina’s storyline. At times the specifics of Alina’s quest can get a bit confusing, which isn’t much of a problem since the story is so character-driven and the pieces begin to fall into place as the series progresses. I will not go into specifics or spoilery content that will ruin the experience for viewers, but I will say that the journey and the destination will not disappoint and will leave fans wanting more.
