The Gardener is an upcoming Spanish crime romantic thriller set to premiere on Netflix on April 11, 2025. Directed by Mikel Rueda and Rafa Montesinos, the series stars Álvaro Rico as Elmer, an emotionless hitman who works alongside his controlling mother, La China Jurado (Cecilia Suárez).
Their family-run garden center is actually a front for a murder-for-hire business, but things take a dramatic turn when Elmer falls in love with Violeta, a nursery school teacher—who also happens to be his next target.
With drama, mystery, and thriller elements, The Gardener explores themes of crime, love, and moral dilemmas, making it an intense and suspenseful viewing experience.
The Gardener Age Rating
The Gardener is rated TV-MA for strong violence, sexual content, and mature themes. The TV-MA rating means it is intended for adult audiences, as it contains content that may not be suitable for children or younger teens. Below is a detailed content breakdown for parents:
Violence
The series revolves around contract killings, featuring assassinations, gun violence, and intense action sequences. Some scenes depict graphic injuries, blood, and death. There are moments of suspense and peril, especially as Elmer struggles between his emotions and his mother’s control.
Language
Strong profanity is used throughout the series, with characters frequently swearing in Spanish and English. The dialogue includes harsh insults and crude expressions.
Sexual Content
The series includes scenes of nudity, sexual activity, and intimate encounters between characters. There may also be suggestive dialogue and references to adult relationships.
Mature Themes
The show explores morally complex topics, including murder-for-hire, manipulation, emotional detachment, and family control. Elmer’s lack of empathy and internal conflict serve as key psychological elements in the story. The emotional tension between him and his mother plays a central role in the series’ darker themes.
Is The Gardener Suitable for Teens?
Ages 10-12: Not suitable. The series’ graphic violence, explicit content, and dark themes make it completely inappropriate for this age group.
Ages 13-17: suitable for older teens. While older teens may find the thriller aspects compelling, the intense violence, mature themes, and sexual content push it into adult territory. Even mature teens (16-17) may find the psychological and emotional aspects disturbing.
With its TV-MA rating, The Gardener is primarily intended for an adult audience (18+), and parental discretion is strongly advised.
What Parents Can Do
Watch the Trailer Below Watching the trailer or an episode in advance can help parents determine if the content aligns with their teen’s maturity level.
Discuss Moral Dilemmas: The series presents complex questions about morality, love, and crime, making it an opportunity to discuss these themes with older teens.
Monitor Emotional Impact: The psychological tension and dark themes may be emotionally intense, so parents should check in with teens who may choose to watch.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: What is the age rating for The Gardener?
A: The series is rated TV-MA for violence, sexual content, and mature themes.
Q: Is The Gardener violent?
A: Yes. The series contains assassinations, gun violence, and blood, with scenes depicting injuries and death.
Q: Does The Gardener have strong language?
A: Yes. The series includes frequent profanity in both Spanish and English.
Q: Is there sexual content in The Gardener?
A: Yes. The series contains nudity, intimate scenes, and suggestive dialogue, making it unsuitable for younger viewers.
Q: Who can watch The Gardener?
A: The Gardener is best suited for adult audiences (18+), as it contains explicit content and mature themes.