Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy  •  2005-2019  •  45 min  •  Teen (13+)

Supernatural (2005-2019)

Supernatural poster

Supernatural (2005-2019)


Rating & Dimensions

Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Center
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
LGBTQ: Positive
Family Values: Leans Progressive
Christianity: Positive

Viewer Rating
8.0

Overview

Supernatural follows brothers Sam and Dean Winchester as they travel rural America in a classic Impala, hunting demons, angels, and everything in between across fifteen seasons. The Mixed label reflects genuine tension between competing cultural signals. The show carries a traditionally masculine core: brotherhood, sacrifice, self-reliance, and a mythology steeped in Judeo-Christian imagery where angels are largely portrayed sympathetically. At the same time, its family structure is unconventional by design, with chosen bonds routinely outweighing biological ones, and the angel Castiel's storyline introduces an explicitly affirming same-sex love confession in its final season. Neither side dominates the run of the series, which makes Mixed the honest call.


Starring Cast

Jared Padalecki  •   Jensen Ackles  •   Jim Beaver


Where to watch

Prime Video logoPrime Video
Peacock logoPeacock
Google Play logoGoogle Play
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Bias by season

Each season is analysed on its own. Tap a point to see why.

↑ Traditional↓ ProgressiveNeutralS1S2S3S4S5S6S7S8S9S10S11S12S13S14S15

Season 1 of 15

Season 1

Aired

PoliticalCenter
Sam and Dean Winchester's relentless pursuit of supernatural threats across America, driven by family duty and a quest for vengeance, defines Supernatural Season 1. The narrative focuses on individual responsibility in battling evil and the bonds of brotherhood, rather than engaging with broader political or societal critiques.
Social valuesModerate
The narrative of Supernatural Season 1 centers on the Winchester brothers, Sam and Dean, as they hunt supernatural entities across America. While the primary cast and most significant guest roles are white, characters like the psychic Missouri Moseley introduce visible diversity. The series frames its traditional male protagonists positively, focusing on their personal quest against supernatural threats rather than critiquing traditional identities.
LGBTQ portrayalN/A
Supernatural Season 1, following brothers Sam and Dean Winchester on their monster hunts, does not feature any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes. The narrative focuses on their family quest and encounters with various supernatural entities, without exploring queer identities or relationships within its initial run.

Season 2

Aired

PoliticalCenter
Supernatural Season 2 centers on the Winchester brothers as they continue their hunt for supernatural entities and confront the demon Azazel's plans for Sam. The narrative prioritizes themes of family loyalty, individual sacrifice, and the eternal struggle between good and evil, without explicitly endorsing or critiquing specific political ideologies or societal structures.
Social valuesModerate
Supernatural Season 2, centered on brothers Sam and Dean Winchester's relentless hunt for supernatural threats, incorporates some visible diversity within its supporting cast, notably with the character of Gordon Walker. However, the season does not feature explicit race or gender swaps of traditionally white roles. The narrative consistently portrays traditional identities in a neutral to positive light, focusing on the protagonists' personal struggles and their fight against evil rather than offering any critique of white or male identities.
LGBTQ portrayalN/A
Supernatural Season 2 centers on brothers Dean and Sam Winchester as they continue their hunt for supernatural entities and the demon Azazel. The season's narrative primarily focuses on their family's legacy and various monster-of-the-week encounters, without introducing identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes within its central conflicts or supporting storylines.

Season 3

Aired

PoliticalCenter
Dean Winchester's year-long struggle to escape his demonic pact defines Supernatural Season 3, anchoring a narrative focused on the personal sacrifices and individual efforts of the Winchester brothers against supernatural evil. The season maintains an apolitical stance, prioritizing themes of family loyalty and individual responsibility over engagement with specific political ideologies.
Social valuesLow
The casting of central figures like Sam and Dean Winchester, alongside supporting characters such as Bobby Singer, aligns with traditional representations. Supernatural Season 3's narrative focuses on the brothers' battle against supernatural forces and Dean's impending fate, without explicitly critiquing or negatively framing traditional identities within its storyline.
LGBTQ portrayalN/A
Supernatural Season 3 primarily focuses on Dean Winchester's demonic pact and Sam's efforts to save him, introducing characters like Ruby and Bela Talbot. The season's narrative, deeply rooted in the brothers' personal struggle against a ticking clock and escalating supernatural threats, does not feature any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or themes within its storyline.

Season 4

Aired

PoliticalCenter
Season 4 of Supernatural, centered on Dean's return from Hell and Sam's burgeoning demon-blood-fueled powers, explores the complex moral landscape of an impending apocalypse. The narrative balances critiques of both the rigid, manipulative authority of angels and the destructive, corrupting influence of demons, ultimately championing human free will and individual choice over any predetermined celestial plan.
Social valuesLow
Season 4 of Supernatural, which chronicles brothers Sam and Dean Winchester's battle against angels and demons as the apocalypse looms, features a core cast that is predominantly white and male. Key characters introduced or prominent in this season, such as the angel Castiel and the hunter Bobby Singer, also align with traditional casting. The narrative explores themes of destiny, free will, and the conflict between good and evil, without explicitly critiquing traditional identities or centering diversity, equity, and inclusion themes.
LGBTQ portrayalNeutral
The angel Castiel's introduction in Season 4 establishes a unique and intense bond with Dean Winchester, marked by Castiel's unwavering loyalty. This relationship, while not explicitly romantic, is widely interpreted by audiences as queer-coded, contributing to a portrayal that is present through subtext but neither explicitly affirms nor denigrates LGBTQ+ themes.

Season 5

Aired

PoliticalLeans Left
Season 5 of *Supernatural* critiques the manipulative and authoritarian nature of the angelic hierarchy, portraying figures like Zachariah and Michael as antagonists to human free will. The narrative champions Sam and Dean's individual agency and their fight to defy predetermined destinies, ultimately emphasizing humanity's capacity to save itself from cosmic forces.
Social valuesModerate
Supernatural Season 5 centers on the Winchester brothers' struggle against the Apocalypse, presenting a narrative that positively frames its predominantly white, male protagonists. The casting includes visible diversity among supporting characters, though core roles do not feature explicit race or gender swaps of traditionally white characters.
LGBTQ portrayalN/A
Season 5 of Supernatural immerses viewers in the epic struggle of the Winchester brothers against the apocalypse, focusing on their roles in a celestial war. The narrative, driven by themes of destiny and family, does not feature any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or themes within its 22 episodes, maintaining a focus on its core mythological conflict.

Season 6

Aired

PoliticalCenter
Dean's relentless pursuit to restore Sam's soul and Castiel's clandestine war in Heaven drive the narrative of Supernatural's sixth season. The series primarily explores themes of individual sacrifice, family loyalty, and the moral complexities of cosmic power struggles, maintaining a neutral stance on broader political ideologies.
Social valuesLow
Supernatural Season 6, following the Winchester brothers' battle against angels, demons, and the Mother of All, features a cast predominantly composed of white male characters in central heroic roles. The season's narrative focuses on supernatural conflicts and family dynamics, without explicitly critiquing traditional identities or centering on diversity, equity, and inclusion themes.
LGBTQ portrayalN/A
Season 6 of Supernatural, centered on the Winchester brothers' efforts to restore Sam's soul and Castiel's power struggles in Heaven, does not feature any explicitly identified LGBTQ+ characters or storylines. The season's narrative primarily focuses on its established mythological conflicts and character arcs.

Season 7

Aired

PoliticalCenter
The Leviathans' systematic infiltration of human institutions and their plan to exploit humanity for sustenance drive the central conflict of the season. The narrative focuses on the Winchesters' individual struggle against this existential, non-ideological threat, rather than promoting specific political solutions or critiques of human societal structures.
Social valuesModerate
Season 7 of Supernatural introduces Kevin Tran, an Asian American high school student, as a key character who becomes a prophet. While his presence adds visible diversity to the ensemble, the season's central narrative focuses on the Winchester brothers' battle against the ancient Leviathans and does not explicitly critique traditional identities or center DEI themes.
LGBTQ portrayalPositive
Season 7 introduces Charlie Bradbury, an openly lesbian hacker who becomes a key ally to the Winchester brothers. Her character is portrayed with intelligence and agency, and her sexuality is presented as a natural, unproblematic aspect of her identity. She plays a significant role in the fight against the Leviathans.

Season 8

Aired

PoliticalCenter
Dean's desperate attempts to complete the trials to close the Gates of Hell, alongside Sam's deteriorating health, drive the narrative of Supernatural's eighth season. The season explores the moral complexities of power and authority through the manipulative actions of angels like Naomi and Metatron, while simultaneously emphasizing the unwavering loyalty and individual sacrifices of the Winchester brothers in their fight against cosmic evil.
Social valuesModerate
Season 8 of *Supernatural* features the introduction of Kevin Tran, an Asian American prophet, as a central figure in the Winchesters' quest to close the gates of Hell. While the primary protagonists are white males, the season includes visible diversity through characters like Kevin and the recurring lesbian hacker Charlie Bradbury. The narrative focuses on the brothers' personal sacrifices and the fight against supernatural forces, without explicitly critiquing traditional identities.
LGBTQ portrayalN/A
Supernatural Season 8, focusing on Sam and Dean Winchester's quest to close the Gates of Hell, does not feature any explicitly LGBTQ+ characters. The season's narrative primarily explores the brothers' personal sacrifices and their battles against various supernatural entities. No identifiable LGBTQ+ themes or relationships are present within the storyline.

Season 9

Aired

PoliticalCenter
Dean's struggle with the Mark of Cain and the ongoing angel civil war define the central conflicts of Supernatural's ninth season, which primarily explores themes of individual agency, familial loyalty, and the chaotic fallout of celestial power struggles. The narrative remains apolitical by focusing on personal sacrifices and the defeat of specific supernatural threats rather than advocating for particular progressive or conservative ideologies.
Social valuesModerate
Season 9 of Supernatural introduces visible diversity through characters like Charlie Bradbury, an openly lesbian hacker, and Kevin Tran, an Asian American prophet. The season's central narrative, revolving around the Winchester brothers' struggle against fallen angels and demonic forces, maintains a neutral framing of traditional identities, without explicitly critiquing them.
LGBTQ portrayalN/A
Supernatural Season 9, which follows the Winchester brothers' struggle against Metatron and the Mark of Cain, does not feature any explicitly identified LGBTQ+ characters. The season's narrative focuses on supernatural threats and familial bonds, without introducing any plotlines or relationships centered on queer identities.

Season 10

Aired

PoliticalCenter
Season 10 of Supernatural centers on Dean Winchester's escalating struggle with the Mark of Cain and the manipulative machinations of the ancient Stynes family. The series consistently prioritizes personal redemption, the bonds of found family, and the ongoing battle against mythological evils, rather than engaging with specific political ideologies.
Social valuesLow
Supernatural Season 10, centered on Dean Winchester's escalating struggle with the Mark of Cain, maintains a predominantly white male core cast. While characters such as Charlie Bradbury, an openly lesbian hacker, play a significant supporting role, the narrative does not explicitly critique traditional identities or center DEI themes.
LGBTQ portrayalPositive
Charlie Bradbury, an openly lesbian character, is depicted as a vital and respected ally to the Winchesters in Season 10. Her intelligence and bravery are central to her role in the fight against the Mark of Cain. Her sexuality is presented naturally, without being a source of conflict or ridicule, and her tragic death is a consequence of the dangerous hunt, not her identity.

Season 11

Aired

PoliticalCenter
In Supernatural's eleventh season, the ancient entity known as the Darkness, Amara, poses an existential threat to all creation, prompting the Winchester brothers to navigate a complex cosmic conflict. The narrative focuses on mythological themes of creation, destruction, and the reconciliation of primordial forces, rather than explicitly promoting or critiquing specific political ideologies.
Social valuesModerate
Billie, a prominent reaper introduced in Supernatural's eleventh season, brings visible diversity to the recurring cast. The season's central conflict, pitting the Winchester brothers against Amara, The Darkness, maintains a traditional framing of its white, male protagonists. The narrative explores cosmic themes of family and free will without explicitly critiquing traditional identities.
LGBTQ portrayalN/A
Season 11 of Supernatural centers on the Winchester brothers' struggle against the primordial entity known as The Darkness. The season's overarching narrative and character developments do not include identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or explicit themes.

Season 12

Aired

PoliticalCenter
Season 12 of *Supernatural* primarily focuses on the Winchester brothers battling supernatural threats and navigating the ethical dilemmas posed by the British Men of Letters, an organization representing a rigid, centralized approach to monster hunting. While the narrative critiques the dangers of unchecked authority and bureaucratic control, it ultimately emphasizes personal responsibility and the enduring strength of family bonds in confronting existential challenges, without explicitly endorsing a specific political ideology.
Social valuesModerate
Season 12 of Supernatural features a diverse array of recurring characters, including the powerful demon Dagon, portrayed by an Asian actress, and the formidable Reaper Billie, played by a Black actress. The season also introduces Eileen Leahy, a deaf hunter, adding representation for disability. While the narrative does not explicitly center on DEI themes, the antagonistic British Men of Letters, a traditional, hierarchical organization, face critique for their rigid and often morally questionable methods.
LGBTQ portrayalNeutral
In Season 12, Gavin MacLeod, son of the demon Crowley, is briefly shown to have had a male lover in a flashback during the episode 'Family Feud.' This detail presents a minor, incidental depiction of a queer character. The narrative treats this aspect factually, neither emphasizing it for affirmation nor using it for negative commentary, resulting in a neutral overall impact.

Season 13

Aired

PoliticalCenter
Season 13 of Supernatural focuses on the Winchesters' efforts to protect Jack, a powerful Nephilim, and rescue their mother from an apocalyptic alternate reality. The narrative balances themes of individual heroism and family loyalty with critiques of corrupt supernatural power structures, resulting in a neutral political stance.
Social valuesHigh
Supernatural Season 13 features the alternate universe archangel Michael portrayed by a Black actor, an explicit casting choice that introduces significant diversity. While the season expands its cast with other diverse characters like the dreamwalker Kaia Nieves and psychic Patience Turner, the central narrative focuses on the Winchesters' battle against supernatural threats and does not explicitly critique traditional identities.
LGBTQ portrayalNeutral
Kaia Nieves, a new character introduced in Season 13, is explicitly depicted as a lesbian with unique powers. Her sexuality is presented as an incidental aspect of her identity, not central to the main narrative. While her character dies within the season, her death serves a plot function related to alternate universes, and an alternate version of her survives, leading to a neutral overall portrayal.

Season 14

Aired

PoliticalCenter
Season 14 of Supernatural, following Dean Winchester's struggle with Michael's possession and Jack's quest for identity, explores universal themes of free will, sacrifice, and the enduring bonds of chosen family. The narrative balances individual heroism and responsibility with critiques of absolute power, maintaining a focus on existential threats rather than aligning with specific political ideologies.
Social valuesModerate
Supernatural Season 14, continuing the Winchester brothers' battle against supernatural forces, incorporates visible diversity within its broader cast. The season does not feature explicit race or gender swaps of traditionally white main roles. The narrative, centered on Sam and Dean's personal struggles and the overarching conflict with entities like Michael and God, maintains a neutral or positive framing of traditional identities, rather than presenting explicit critiques.
LGBTQ portrayalPositive
Season 14 of Supernatural features the return of lesbian hacker Charlie Bradbury, whose relationship with Melanie is depicted positively. The season also deepens the intense emotional bond between Dean Winchester and Castiel, culminating in Castiel's profound declaration of love in the finale, a relationship widely interpreted as queer-coded. The narrative portrays these characters and their connections with dignity and complexity.

Season 15

Aired

PoliticalCenter
The final season of Supernatural sees brothers Sam and Dean Winchester directly challenging God, the universe's manipulative creator, in a cosmic battle for free will. While the narrative critiques unchecked power and champions individual agency, it remains focused on existential and philosophical questions rather than promoting specific political ideologies.
Social valuesModerate
Season 15 of *Supernatural* culminates in Sam and Dean Winchester's ultimate confrontation with God, who is depicted as a manipulative and narcissistic antagonist. While the core cast maintains its established composition, the season incorporates visible diversity through its recurring and supporting characters, such as Eileen Leahy and Billie. The narrative's critique focuses on themes of free will and divine tyranny rather than explicitly targeting traditional identities, and there are no explicit race or gender swaps of traditionally white main roles.
LGBTQ portrayalNeutral
Angel Castiel's explicit confession of love for Dean Winchester in Season 15 provides a clear instance of same-sex romantic expression. However, Castiel's immediate sacrifice and subsequent death after this declaration align with a problematic narrative trope. This portrayal introduces significant LGBTQ+ themes but ultimately results in an incidental net impact due to the tragic outcome.

Detailed Bias Analysis

Analyzing...
Center

Primary

Political: Center
Confidence: High

The series primarily explores apolitical themes of good versus evil, family loyalty, and individual sacrifice against supernatural threats. Its narrative focuses on the existential struggle of two brothers, emphasizing personal responsibility and free will without explicitly promoting a specific political ideology.

Diversity: Low
Confidence: High

The series features a predominantly traditional cast, without explicit race or gender swaps of established roles. Its narrative primarily focuses on its core mythology and character arcs, without explicitly critiquing or negatively portraying traditional identities.

Secondary

LGBTQ: Positive
Confidence: Low

Supernatural features the angel Castiel, whose deep, evolving bond with Dean Winchester culminates in an explicit confession of love in the final season. Castiel's love is portrayed as a powerful, selfless force, leading to his ultimate sacrifice for Dean. While his death immediately follows this confession, the narrative frames his actions heroically, affirming the profound worth and impact of his feelings.

Family Values: Leans Progressive
Confidence: High

The series centers on an unconventional family unit defined by a shared, dangerous purpose, where the bonds of chosen family often rival or supersede biological ties. Parental authority is frequently challenged, and traditional domestic structures are largely absent from the narrative.

Christianity: Positive
Confidence: High

The series extensively uses Christian mythology, portraying angels, demons, and God as literal entities within its universe. While it critiques corrupt religious figures and institutions, the narrative generally affirms the existence and power of divine elements and often aligns with virtues associated with the faith. The show explores the complexities of good and evil within this framework, often positioning the audience to sympathize with those upholding moral principles.

Trans: N/A
Confidence: High

Supernatural centers on the Winchester brothers' battle against various supernatural forces across its long run. The series does not include identifiable transsexual characters or themes within its narrative, indicating an absence of such portrayals throughout its storyline.

Female Combat: N/R

The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.

Gender Swap: No
Confidence: High

Supernatural is an original series that introduces its own characters. While the show incorporates numerous figures from mythology and religious lore, these characters consistently maintain their traditionally established genders. No instances of a character widely established as one gender being portrayed as a different gender are present.

Race Swap: No
Confidence: High

Supernatural is an original series, and its primary characters were created for the show without prior canonical racial depictions. No established character from source material or previous installments was portrayed by an actor of a different race.

Hinduism: N/A
Confidence: High

Hindu deities are depicted as arrogant, squabbling, and ultimately powerless beings easily defeated by Lucifer, reducing their religious significance to mere powerful, yet vulnerable, entities.


Viewer Rating Breakdown

8.0

Viewer Rating

Combines user and critic ratings from four sources

User Ratings

IMDB logo
8.4
The Movie Database logo
8.3

Critic Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes logo
9.3
Metacritic logo
6.0

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