The Virtues
Created by Shane Meadows
On Channel 4
A harrowing, introspective four-hour descent into trauma and addiction, where a man confronts childhood abuse through fragmented memory and spiritual unease.
Joseph falls into despair when his nine-year-old son Shea leaves for Australia with his ex Debbie. Suffering the hangover from hell, he walks away from his present life and boards a boat bound for Ireland to confront memories from his childhood.
Clusters
Genres
Where to watch
Not available in United States — it streams in other countries.
Questions people ask
Is The Virtues sad? Yes, very. More sad than 99% of series.
Is The Virtues easy watching? No. Less comforting than 94% of series.
Is The Virtues scary? Yes. More frightening than 89% of series.
Does The Virtues leave you hopeful? Barely. Less hopeful than 88% of series.
Is The Virtues violent? Yes. More violent than 81% of series.
These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.
Cinnamon Score
How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.
Distinctly its own thing.
How unlike any other series this one feels
How much more it delivers than it promises
How much audiences actually like it
Ensemble
Like The Virtues
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as The Virtues
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like The Virtues, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like The Virtues, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like The Virtues, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
