Splinter Cell: Deathwatch is a 2025 France/US adult-animated espionage thriller. It is based on the popular Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell video game franchise. It is an adaptation produced by Ubisoft Film & Television in partnership with Netflix.
It’s developed by Derek Kolstad and directed by Guillaume Dousse with Félicien Colmet-Daage as co-director.
The voice cast includes Liev Schreiber, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Janet Varney, and Joel Oulette. Based on Ubisoft’s video game series, it premieres on Netflix on October 14, 2025.
Splinter Cell: Deathwatch Age Rating
Splinter Cell: Deathwatch is rated TV-MA on Netflix. The show earns this for strong, stylized violence and intense action typical of covert ops thrillers; marketing highlights stealth takedowns, close-quarters fights, and gun battles, with a gritty tone aimed at adults. Language may be strong; sexual content isn’t indicated in previews. Region-specific advisories will appear on the Netflix title page when streaming.
Violence & Peril
Violence level: Strong. Expect stealth kills, knife work, sustained gunfire, and bone-crunching hand-to-hand combat. The teaser shows tense standoffs and assassinations that heighten dread and peril throughout. The atmosphere is dark, with frequent life-or-death stakes.
Language
Anticipate strong language consistent with TV-MA thrillers; Netflix assigns maturity levels based on frequency and impact of such content, and details appear on the title page at playback. No trailer evidence of slurs to date.
Mature Themes
Themes include black-ops ethics, conspiracy, betrayal, and political violence. Death and moral ambiguity are central, with an older Sam Fisher pulled from retirement to mentor a desperate young operative. Previews don’t indicate sexual content; substance use hasn’t been emphasized.
Is Splinter Cell: Deathwatch Suitable for Teens?
Ages 13–15: No. The violence and intensity target mature viewers, and the tone is grim.
Ages 16–17: With Guidance. Genre-savvy teens may handle it, but discuss realism vs. stylization.
Ages 18+: Yes. Best suited for adults who enjoy hard-edged spy action.
Final recommendation: 17+ overall (aligns with TV-MA).
What Parents Can Do
Prep for intensity: Explain the show’s stylized stealth violence and why it’s rated TV-MA.
Discuss ethics: Talk about covert operations, ends-justify-the-means thinking, and accountability.
Debrief after episodes: Separate animation style from real-world consequences of violence.
Official Trailer
FAQs
1) What is the age rating for Splinter Cell: Deathwatch?
TV-MA on Netflix, reflecting strong animated violence and intense action aimed at adults.
2) Is it appropriate for teens?
Mostly no for younger teens; older teens only with guidance due to frequent, high-stakes violence.
3) How violent or scary is it?
Teasers show stealth kills, gunfights, and nerve-wracking standoffs, creating sustained peril.
4) Does it include strong language or slurs?
Strong language is likely under TV-MA; slurs aren’t evident in previews. Netflix will list advisories at playback.
5) Any sexual content or nudity?
Marketing focuses on action and espionage; no sexual content is signposted so far.
6) Where can I watch it, and when?
Streaming exclusively on Netflix starting October 14, 2025 worldwide.