This Netflix Drama Will Break Your Heart and Change Lives

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A star rating of 5 out of 5.

Regardless of whether you were familiar with the storyline of Adolescence prior to encountering it, the fact that Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne are involved will give you a pretty good idea about what kind of experience you’re in for.

Via their work, both on-screen and off-screen (Graham’s extensive portfolio includes projects like This Is England, The Virtues, Boiling Point, Time and Help, many of which Thorne also scripted, while more recent series from Thorne include Toxic Town and Best Interests), they have earned a reputation for powerful, emotionally challenging television that resonates long after the show ends – and has the capacity to inspire significant real-life transformations.

And their extraordinary four-part Netflix series undoubtedly has the capacity to do just that.

In the play co-written by both Graham and Thorne, Graham portrays Eddie, a simple plumber, whose world is turned upside down as his teenage son Jamie (played by Owen Cooper), gets accused of murdering a classmate from school.

Katie, the unfortunate individual, suffered seven stab wounds in a parking lot, which is merely a stone’s throw from a playground and only a brief stroll from her school.

She had lacerations to her chest, neck, thighs and arms.

It was a frenzied, deliberate attack.

However, as soon as heavily armed officers invade Jamie’s bedroom in the initial scenes – quite an impactful start – he asserts his innocence. Given that the suspect in front of us appears to be a minor, it’s hard not to trust him at first glance.

When DI Bascombe (Ashley Walters) instructs him to get up from the bed, a wave of intense fear spreads over his face as he cries out for his father. Jamie’s tracksuit pants are soaked, indicating that he has involuntarily urinated.

You want to take him in your arms and tell him that it’s all a horrible misunderstanding.

1. Write a short paragraph about the importance of understanding cultural differences when communicating with people from different countries:

Understanding cultural differences is crucial when communicating with individuals from diverse cultures. This is because each culture has its unique customs, traditions, and values that shape the way its members perceive and interpret information. For instance, in some cultures, direct confrontation or criticism may be considered rude and offensive, while in others, it’s seen as a sign of respect and honesty. Similarly, body language, facial expressions, and gestures can have different meanings depending on the culture. Ignoring these nuances can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunications, and even offenses. Therefore, being aware of cultural differences and adapting one’s communication style accordingly is essential for building strong relationships and effective cross-cultural communication.

2. Write a brief dialogue between two friends discussing the benefits of exercise:

Friend 1: Hey, have you started that new workout routine yet? I heard it’s great for reducing stress and improving mood.

Friend 2: Yeah, I’ve been trying to make time for it every day. It really does help me feel more energized and focused throughout the day. Plus, exercise has so many other benefits like boosting self-confidence and promoting better sleep.

Friend 1: That’s true! Exercise is also linked to a lower risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. I should really stick with it.

3. Write a brief summary of the book “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee:

Set in the racially charged South during the Great Depression, “To Kill a Mockingbird” tells the story of Scout Finch, a young girl growing up in Maycomb County, Alabama. Her father, Atticus Finch, is a respected lawyer who takes on the defense of Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. Despite the community’s hostility and prejudice towards him, Atticus fights tirelessly for justice, ultimately losing the case but winning the respect of his daughter and the reader. The novel explores themes of racial injustice, moral integrity, and the loss of innocence as seen through Scout’s eyes.

4. Write a short paragraph about the benefits of meditation:

Meditation has numerous physical and mental health benefits. Regular practice can reduce stress levels, improve focus and concentration, increase self-awareness, and promote emotional well-being. Additionally, studies have shown that meditation can lower blood pressure, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and even slow down the aging process by decreasing the effects of stress on the body. Furthermore, it can help individuals develop a greater sense of inner peace and contentment, leading to overall improved quality of life.

However, it didn’t happen that way. Jamie was the one who ended Katie’s life, and there was no sign of hesitation, a moment that is strikingly depicted in some chilling CCTV footage. This revelation left Eddie breathless when his son was interrogated at a later point.

In most shows, revealing such information early on could be seen as a spoiler. However, in this series, it swiftly becomes apparent that it’s neither a mystery thriller nor a traditional crime drama.

Although a crime has taken place, Adolescence is primarily interested in exploring the reasons behind young males and adolescent boys killing females and females of similar age.

The concept for the series arose in Graham’s mind, triggered by a string of violent occurrences across the nation during the years 2021 and 2023. This included the tragic stabbing of Ava White, aged 12, in Liverpool city center and the murder of Elianne Andam, who was only 15, in Croydon.

Originally, he expressed his personal worries and sorrow to director Philip Barantini (Boiling Point). Later on, Thorne became part of the venture. Together, they have crafted an intensely impactful and emotional examination that sheds light on the destructive, even lethal effects of toxic masculinity. Notably, boys and young men are found to be particularly vulnerable to the harmful propaganda disseminated by figures like Andrew Tate and the ‘manosphere’, who are referred to in the work.

Despite my strong desire to turn a blind eye towards individuals like Tate, hoping they vanish, unfortunately, our situation doesn’t allow for such luxury. This is due to the fact that young boys are perpetrating severe acts of violence against women and girls.

As a cinephile, I can’t help but notice that name-dropping certainly boosts Tate’s self-confidence and wallet, but turning a blind eye to such a colossal issue only allows it to grow stronger, a lesson the Hunt family has painfully learned.

In more straightforward terms,

Just yesterday, news emerged about the 28-year-old individual who committed a heinous crime against 25-year-old Louise Hunt last year – raping and murdering her with a crossbow. The tragedy unfolded after their relationship ended. Prior to the act, it was discovered that he had searched for Tate’s podcast the day before.

He also killed her sister Hannah and their mum Carol.

The male ego or male fragility, whatever you want to call it, plays a central role in Adolescence.

In the digital sphere, numerous individuals similar to the Tates shape the discussion surrounding male identity, an aspect that Erin Doherty’s character, the assigned clinical psychologist for Jamie, raises in episode 3, approximately seven months after Katie’s death.

As a film critic, I found myself immersed in a gripping tale unfolding within the walls of a secure training center, a temporary home for a young protagonist awaiting his day in court. Despite not having reached the age for a young offenders’ institute, he finds himself under the watchful eyes of mental health experts who are meticulously evaluating him during this period.

This television episode stands out as exceptionally intense. Primarily focusing on just two characters, it reveals Jamie’s anger like never before, a side we hadn’t seen much of earlier, making the whole scene even more startling.

However, it was undeniably present, becoming progressively stronger and off-putting with each passing day, as he delved deeper into a digital realm that seemed to grow increasingly mysterious and unmanageable – a sentiment particularly felt by parents.

Although there isn’t a lot of in-depth information on his digital activities, some aspects are briefly mentioned or subtly suggested. For individuals less familiar with social media or unaware of the online incel community and their gathering places, providing additional context or detail would have been beneficial to fully grasp the documentary’s message.

It’s hard to comprehend how a 13-year-old from a secure background could be drawn into such a deep, dark situation that they would feel brave enough to carry out a violent crime. The story could have provided more details to help us understand this better.

However, it’s Jamie’s backstory that gives Adolescence its gripping and unsettling quality, a factor that ought to trigger warnings.

The Miller family, much like yours, consists of typical members and resides in an ordinary house on a residential street. Their structure includes two caring parents, making up a household that may appear quite familiar to you. In essence, they represent a common, unremarkable family type, with nothing out of the ordinary or disagreeable about them.

And yet. And yet.

In the last episode, Jamie’s mother Manda, played by Christine Tremarco, confirms that he had always remained in his room. This scene is set 13 months after Katie’s death and is only a few weeks prior to Jamie’s upcoming court case.

“He’d come home, slam the door, straight up the stairs on the computer,” she recalls.

How many parents can relate to that?

In essence, Graham and Thorne may not provide definitive solutions, but they excel in posing crucial questions: “Are you aware of what your teens are up to privately? Are you mindful of the digital content they engage with?” They then encourage the audience to ponder upon their individual responses.

In a recent interview with Tudum, Graham posed this question: “What are the current experiences of our young men, and what sorts of pressures do they encounter from their friends, online platforms, and social media?

However, by merely asking these questions, we can help prevent young males, who unfortunately find themselves as victims too, in a distinct manner compared to females and girls, from being overlooked or neglected.

This year’s releases, whether on the big screen or small, struggle to match the impact and emotional resonance of Adolescence. It’s a truly exceptional TV show, largely because of Barantini’s skillful use of single-shot filming. He displayed this talent in the gripping restaurant thriller Boiling Point, and he uses it effectively here as well.

The presentation maintains a gripping, live-action atmosphere, as if you’re observing an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes documentary where the cameras are continuously rolling. It seems as though you’re present alongside Jamie, Eddie, and everyone else featured in each scene.

The space feels confining and sometimes suffocating. There’s no respite or freedom to take a breath. It’s a test of endurance in more ways than one, yet it’s hard to resist its allure.

Gratitude is due to Graham, who thrives in the role of a father, having experienced the profound pain that comes from his own bloodline tearing him apart emotionally. No one could portray this character and narrative more effectively than he can, and the climactic scene, in particular, will leave your heart deeply touched and fragmented.

Graham deserves credit for playing a dad who feels deeply for his family. He’s perfect for this role because he’s been through real pain with his own relatives. The ending is so emotional that it’ll make your heart hurt too.

However, it’s Cooper’s portrayal of the young murderer Jamie that truly outshines the rest. Frankly, I can’t recall a more brilliant and adult-like performance from someone so young in such a complex drama. Given the caliber of Graham, one of our best, it speaks volumes about Cooper’s talent. He’s an exceptional young actor who will undoubtedly receive numerous opportunities following this role.

An array of convincing performances lends authenticity to each character, while Graham and Thorne’s script also contributes to this feel. However, some dialogues seem artificial and constructed at certain points.

The dialogue between the main investigators during their school visit in episode 2, where they ponder how offenders usually seize the limelight while victims often slip into obscurity, seems reminiscent of a heartfelt editorial piece.

Additionally, there’s a conversation between Eddie and an employee in a hardware store that seems overly dramatic or staged, which doesn’t quite match the realistic atmosphere set in other parts.

Additionally, there seems to be no communication with Katie’s relatives, which presents an intriguing choice, one that might appear as a significant absence in the narrative.

However, setting disagreements aside, it’s clear that Adolescence has made a significant impact this year, earning numerous accolades and recognition, and its significance should not be underestimated.

Or:

Despite minor differences, there’s no denying that Adolescence has been one of the standout shows of the year, garnering awards and acclaim, and its impact cannot be overemphasized.

It’s strongly recommended that the drama by Graham and Thorne be made compulsory viewing, especially for adolescent boys and their families. Immediately incorporating ‘Adolescence’ into the country’s educational curriculum is also advised.

The drama series Mr Bates versus The Post Office, produced by ITV, powerfully illustrates television’s ability to touch upon significant and wide-ranging themes. On the other hand, although the topics tackled in Adolescence are intricate and tangled, it holds a strong potential for making a difference – perhaps even saving lives.

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2025-03-13 11:36