Ripley: parents' guide

Two murders are shown in detail: a man is beaten with a boat oar in a long, desperate struggle at sea, and another is clubbed with a heavy glass ashtray. Blood is visible, bodies are hidden, and a brief flashback shows a bloodied knife.

Profanity is rare, which is unusual for a TV-MA series. Sources note little beyond God's name used in vain and an occasional mild word.

No sex scenes. Tom's interest in Dickie stays ambiguous. Brief non-sexual nudity: a man's bare backside, Tom nearly naked while being fitted for a tiny swimsuit, and a woman in a bathtub and later in just a towel.

Nearly everyone smokes and drinks throughout, in bars, cafes and homes. One woman gets drunk at a party and is hungover the next day. No illegal drug use is shown.

The suspense is quiet but constant: a killer covering his tracks, close calls with police, and an eerie mood built from shadows and long silences. It is not horror, but it can be unsettling.