The Following (2013)

Name: The Following
Released: 2013
Rating: 7.2
Cast: Kevin Bacon, James Purefoy, Shawn Ashmore, Jessica Stroup, Sam Underwood

TV-14 43m 7.2/10 IMDb

Crime Drama

Notorious serial killer Joe Carroll, after being found guilty of murdering 14 female students on the Virginia college campus where he taught literature, escapes from death row. The FBI calls former agent Ryan Hardy to consult on the case, as he was the one responsible for Carroll’s capture in 2003. Ryan, working closely with an FBI team, including Mike Weston and FBI Specialist Debra Parker, piece together the ever-growing web of murders orchestrated by the devious Carroll.

Creator: Kevin Williamson

Cast: Kevin Bacon, James Purefoy, Shawn Ashmore, Jessica Stroup, Sam Underwood

Content Warnings

Identity & Discrimination

Hate crimes (depicted) Homophobia / transphobia (depicted) Stalking / harassment

Mental Health & Emotional

Grief / bereavement (major focus) Suicide (discussed or ideation)

Other

Gaslighting / emotional manipulation Kidnapping / abduction

Phobias & Sensory

Blood / medical gore Body horror Jump scares Needles / medical procedures

Sexual Content

Sexual coercion / non-consensual situations

Substance Use

Alcohol abuse (depicted)

Violence & Physical Harm

Child abuse / harm to children Domestic violence / intimate partner abuse Gore / graphic violence Gun violence Self-harm / suicide (depicted) Sexual assault / rape Torture

View full breakdown

Does It Get Worse?

Stays Consistent Content intensity remains similar across seasons.

16 series-wide warnings apply across all seasons.

Season 1 13 warnings

Avg severity:(3.7)

Stalking / harassmentSuicide (discussed or ideation)Gaslighting / emotional manipulationKidnapping / abductionBody horrorJump scaresAlcohol abuse (depicted)Child abuse / harm to childrenGore / graphic violenceGun violenceSelf-harm / suicide (depicted)Sexual assault / rapeTorture

Season 2 12 warnings

Avg severity:(3.8)

Hate crimes (depicted)Homophobia / transphobia (depicted)Stalking / harassmentSuicide (discussed or ideation)Gaslighting / emotional manipulationKidnapping / abductionBody horrorAlcohol abuse (depicted)Gore / graphic violenceGun violenceSelf-harm / suicide (depicted)Torture

Season 3 12 warnings

Avg severity:(3.7)

Stalking / harassmentGrief / bereavement (major focus)Suicide (discussed or ideation)Gaslighting / emotional manipulationKidnapping / abductionBody horrorJump scaresAlcohol abuse (depicted)Gore / graphic violenceGun violenceSexual assault / rapeTorture