Content & Trigger Warnings for Riverdale (2017)

The Sisters of Quiet Mercy perform conversion therapy on a character; the abuse is shown on screen

1950s setting includes period-accurate homophobia; LGBTQ characters must hide their identities

The 1950s setting depicts period-accurate racial segregation, slurs, and discrimination

The Black Hood stalks and threatens characters through phone calls and letters throughout the season

Voyeur videotapes of residents are distributed; a stalker surveils the town with hidden cameras

A serial killer stalks and targets victims throughout the season

Parental death occurs in alternate timeline scenarios

Multiple parent characters die, often violently, profoundly affecting the teen protagonists

Disordered eating is briefly depicted and discussed

Grief over murdered friends and family drives much of the emotional conflict

Pregnancy loss and pregnancy scares are part of character storylines

A character attempts suicide by walking onto a frozen river; the scene is shown and is emotionally intense

The Gargoyle King game involves a ritual where players drink from poisoned chalices; suicide-adjacent scenes are depicted

Characters experience suicidal thoughts and express desire to end their lives

Abortion is discussed as a plot point in character storylines

A parent manipulates their child into believing they may be the killer; sustained psychological manipulation

Adults gaslight and manipulate teens throughout the Gryphons and Gargoyles game conspiracy

An elaborate scheme is constructed to fake a character's death and frame others; extensive psychological manipulation

Reality manipulation and alternate universe elements cause characters to question their sanity

Characters manipulate others within the time-displaced setting

Cults, manipulation, and gaslighting are recurring plot elements affecting teen characters

Cheating and romantic betrayals are recurring across character relationships

A character is held captive by a family member as a dark secret is revealed

Characters are abducted and held at gunpoint in multiple episodes

Multiple characters are kidnapped and held captive by cult members throughout the season

Characters are abducted by the Trash Bag Killer

Characters are kidnapped and held captive in multiple seasons

Blood shown in crime scenes and violent confrontations throughout

The Gargoyle King figure is disturbing in appearance; some body horror elements in cult rituals

Disturbing imagery in the auteur film plotline and crime scenes

Supernatural transformations and demonic possession result in disturbing body horror imagery

Supernatural horror elements include occasional jump scares during demonic encounters

A teacher-student sexual relationship is depicted involving a teenage character and an adult

Continued inappropriate adult-teen dynamics in romantic subplots

Relationships between teenagers and significantly older adults are depicted in multiple storylines

Sexual content between characters with implied sex scenes shown regularly

A major storyline reveals incest within the Blossom family as a key plot revelation

1950s gender dynamics involve coercive relationship expectations and pressure

Power imbalance situations involving students and authority figures occur

Several adult characters drink heavily as a coping mechanism in the time-jumped timeline

Underage drinking and a parent's alcoholism are recurring themes

Drug dealing and drug use among teens appear in several episodes

The Jingle Jangle drug epidemic becomes a major plotline; teen drug use is shown frequently

Fizzle Rocks drug epidemic is central to the plot; widespread teen drug use and addiction are shown

Continued drug presence in Riverdale though less central than season 3

Drug trafficking and use are prominent in the post-time-jump Riverdale economy

Drug use continues as a background element in the town

Mild drug references in the 1950s setting

Multiple characters experience drug overdoses and adverse reactions to Fizzle Rocks

The Sisters of Quiet Mercy facility subjects teens to forced conversion and drugging

Controlling and abusive family dynamics are depicted in the Blossom household

Abusive family dynamics escalate in the Lodge and Cooper households; controlling parental behavior is shown

Controlling relationships and abusive family dynamics continue in the Blossom and Jones families

Abusive and controlling relationship dynamics continue in multiple storylines

Supernatural possession leads to violent acts between intimate partners

1950s-era controlling relationships and domestic abuse are portrayed

Crime scene imagery and injuries from the serial killer's attacks are shown

The Gargoyle King cult involves ritualistic imagery and disturbing crime scenes with bodies

Crime scene imagery and violent confrontations depicted in the murder mystery plotline

Post-time-jump Riverdale features more graphic violence including bodies discovered in disturbing states

Supernatural elements bring more graphic violence including demonic attacks and body horror

A character is shot and killed as the central murder mystery; the aftermath is shown

The Black Hood serial killer uses guns in multiple attacks; shooting scenes are shown on screen

Gun violence increases in the time-jumped setting with gang conflicts and confrontations

Suicide attempts depicted and self-harm discussed as part of character arcs

References to past sexual abuse and incest within a prominent family are discussed

The Black Hood's motivations involve punishing perceived sinners; sexual violence is referenced in backstory

The Trash Bag Killer storyline involves sexual violence elements; attacks on vulnerable characters are shown

Characters are tortured and subjected to cruel punishments by the cult and corrupt adults

Characters are subjected to physical and psychological torment in the prep school storyline

The serial killer subjects victims to torture before killing them

Demonic and supernatural torture sequences occur in the multiverse storylines