3 Body Problem parents guide: How violent and graphic is the Netflix series? (potential content warnings)

3 Body Problem has finally arrived on Netflix! The new series hails from Game of Thrones co-creators Dan Weiss and David Benioff, and Alexander Woo (True Blood). Starting in the 1960s, the series follows a young woman's fateful decision and the dangerous ripple effects it casts across humanity. The series is based on the iconic book series by Cixin Liu.

Mild spoilers ahead for 3 Body Problem

For those who are debating whether or not they want to watch the show (or if you're a parent and wondering if your teens can watch) we have compiled a helpful parents guide with some content warnings to let you know what to expect from 3 Body Problem with minimal spoilers.

Just as a note, the series is rated TV-MA for gore, language, nudity, smoking, suicide, and violence.

Is there any nudity or sexual content in 3 Body Problem?

If you're worried that the show might be as sexually explicit as Game of Thrones, then we're here to tell you that you don't need to be. 3 Body Problem does have a few romantic relationships, but it's all very tame. Though characters are shown kissing and at least one couple prepares to have sex, the clothes never come off and everything stays in the PG realm.

As for nudity, there is a scene in the second episode around the 40 minute mark where a bunch of nameless characters are shown fully naked, with full-frontal nudity, as they are rehydrated in the water. There's nothing sexual about it and it doesn't last very long.

3 Body Problem does contain a lot of moments that might be disturbing to some viewers

Even though the show doesn't have much sexual content, it does contain a lot of violence and some disturbing gore that might be too much for some viewers. Characters are shot with guns and stabbed.

But easily the most disturbing scene in the season is in episode 5 where a boat is split into multiple pieces using super-thin nanofibers. If you've seen the movie Ghost Ship, it's like the opening of that film, but on a much grander scale. Bodies are shown split in half with organs tumbling out and there are children on board, though we don't see them die, we do see the aftermath in some cases.

Additionally, some of the video game sequences can be frightened with characters shown freezing to death or burning alive. At one point, two of the main characters are threatened with being burned at the stake and thrown into a pot of boiling water.

In general, the idea of a super-intelligent alien race invading Earth and threatening to exterminate the entire human race might be scary to young viewers.

Suicide is prevalent in the series

One of the biggest storylines in the show revolves around a mystery concerning why a bunch of scientists are suddenly killing themselves. For those sensitive to suicide, the show might be challenging to watch at times. The bodies of several of the dead scientists are shown and we see at least one woman actually jump to her death. There's also a moment where the cop, Clarence, sees that several people have hanged themselves from street lamps, though it is shown quickly.

Alcohol, drugs, and language

There is strong language used throughout the show. Characters regular curse and use the f-word and the c-word, so if that's a problem for you or if you don't want young viewers to hear that then this might be a skip. As for drugs and alcohol, many characters are shown drinking and sometimes getting drunk.

There isn't really any drug use shown however, outside of scientific or medical usage. One character does desire self-medicating with pills, but her friend convinces her not to. Many characters are regularly seen smoking cigarettes.