Netflix, Dark Fantastic Genres and Intergenerational Viewing

This incisive study dives into the surprisingly dark science fiction, horror, and fantasy shows Netflix markets for family co-viewing, challenging our very definitions of child-friendly television. Author Djoymi Baker employs a groundbreaking methodology that blends audience research with interface and textual analysis to dissect this controversial genre cycle. The book compellingly argues that these "Family Watch Together TV" offerings are actively reshaping the boundaries and expectations of telefantasy for all ages, creating a new space for intergenerational viewing that doesn't shy away from the grim or macabre.

What makes this analysis so vital is its focus on the unique dynamics of streaming platform exclusives and how their algorithmic presentation influences family media consumption. By examining both the content and its digital packaging, Baker provides a crucial framework for understanding contemporary children's media in the age of on-demand entertainment. This is an essential read for media scholars, industry professionals, and any parent or viewer intrigued by the complex, often unsettling stories now being served up for a shared family audience.