Netflix’s Adolescence: The Urgent Call to Talk to Boys About Violence Against Women

Contains discussion of violence against women and girls that some readers may find upsetting.

1. Carol Hunt, aged 61.
2. Wendy Francis, aged 61.
3. Maria Ricotta, aged 54.
4. Sam Varley, aged 44.
5. Tara Kershaw, aged 33.
6. Zanele Sibanda, aged 28.
7. Hannah Hunt, aged 28.
8. Louise Hunt, aged 25.
9. Claudia Kambanza, aged 22.
10. Scarlett Vickers, aged 14.
11. Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine years old.
12. Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven years old.
13. Bebe King, six years old.

These versions maintain the age information while using simpler and more natural language to convey the same meaning as the original sentences.

Here are a few examples of women and adolescent girls who tragically lost their lives at the hands of males in the United Kingdom during the year 2024.

Approximately every three days in recent times, a woman is murdered by a man, according to reports from The Guardian.

Furthermore, those who survive instances of sexual abuse, domestic violence, harassment, or stalking often carry both physical and emotional wounds as a result.

Last year, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) released a report estimating that approximately 8% of women experience violence against women and girls (VAWG) annually. This equates to about 2 million women who unfortunately find themselves in this unfortunate situation each year. I am deeply saddened by these numbers, underscoring the urgent need for action to protect and support women everywhere.

As a devoted cinephile, I’d rephrase that statement like this: “In England and Wales alone, approximately one out of every twenty gentlemen could become an offender of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) each year. That’s roughly 2.3 million individuals.”

The report indicates that those committing offenses are becoming increasingly youthful, with excessive online content identified as a contributing factor.

It seems that the situation at hand is causing significant worry for both Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne.

A group has united to pen a Netflix miniseries titled “Adolescence.” This series centers around a 13-year-old character named Jamie Miller, who stands accused of murdering a classmate. Interestingly, Graham assumes the role of Eddie, Jamie’s father in the storyline.

Katie Leonard suffered seven stab wounds in a parking lot, which is only a few steps from a playground and not far from her school.

Her body was discovered bearing deep cuts on her torso (chest, neck, thighs, and arms). The assault appeared to be frantic yet calculated in nature.

The victim’s body showed signs of multiple wounds on various parts such as the chest, neck, legs, and arms. It seemed that the attack was violent and carefully planned.

However, it becomes clear rather swiftly that this isn’t a typical mystery thriller. Instead, the authors, Graham and Thorne, seemed less focused on crafting a whodunnit and more intent on delivering a call to action. As you engage with Adolescence, keep your senses alert, as warning signals may be flashing.

In my perspective as a film critic, one key objective we had in mind was to delve into the question: “What’s shaping the lives of our young men today, and what sort of pressures are they confronting from their peers, the online world, and social media?” This is a point that Graham emphasized during his conversation with Tudum.

Similarly, the challenges arising from these various aspects are just as hard for children here as they are for children everywhere.

The series wasn’t inspired by a specific true event, yet Graham acknowledged that he was moved to craft this narrative upon observing a troubling pattern emerging in the United Kingdom.

He mentioned during a Netflix event earlier this year that, for approximately the last decade, there has been a significant increase in violent incidents involving knives among young men across different regions of the country.

In my opinion, there were particular moments that stood out, where younger males (not adults yet, but boys) were brutally harming young females.

When I brought it up with Phil (Barantini, the director), it struck me forcefully. I found myself questioning, “Why is this so? What’s behind it? What’s happening here? Why does this situation exist?

Modern technology, particularly smartphones and social networking platforms, hold significant influence during adolescence. Terms like “incel” and “manosphere” occasionally surface in discussions; it’s not uncommon to hear the name Andrew Tate brought up.

“I’ve heard the boys talking about him,” says a teacher.

In the vast digital realm, there exists an obscure language – a hidden emoji dialect – which even the experienced detective, DI Luke Bascombe (as portrayed by Ashley Walters), remains unfamiliar with.

He keeps misunderstanding the situation until his teenage son Adam, who goes to the same school as both the victim and the suspect, explains the deeper implications of apparently harmless remarks to him. In doing so, Adam helps him comprehend why a fellow student had committed such a heinous crime against another girl.

As International Women’s Day approaches in five days, coinciding with the release of Adolescence, it seems fitting to discuss a concerning issue: The high mortality rate among women and girls is often due to a lack of emotional regulation tools for many men and boys, which can lead to intense feelings such as rejection and the anger that ensues from such feelings.

And if we’re being completely candid, why would they?

As a cinephile, I’ve noticed that certain groups haven’t been traditionally nudged to delve into their feelings, especially in depth.

Although efforts have significantly increased over the past decade to foster open conversations among men and boys, organizations like Tate’s are still widely accepted, especially by younger generations. This underscores the need for continuous action – from government bodies, law enforcement, educational institutions, and social media platforms – all of which have faced criticism for inadequate protection of women and girls.

But for parents of boys, that work begins at home.

Lately, Bascombe’s son seems to have distanced himself from his father without any significant argument or confrontation. Instead, it feels like they are drifting apart. However, as more details about the motive behind the murder emerge, you can sense a growing and very personal worry taking root in him.

Jamie could be anyone’s son. Jamie could be his son.

As a movie buff delving into an investigation, I found myself impelled to engage with Adam after a visit to his school. The urgency stemmed from my personal experience – knowing all too well what can unfold when parents aren’t vigilant, truly observing their offspring.

He invites his son to join him for a share of chips, marking their first meaningful conversation in weeks. They’ll set aside their devices and focus on each other, discussing all sorts of things – big and small. This seemingly ordinary moment might appear insignificant to outsiders, but such connections can prevent people from slipping through the gaps in life.

As a cinephile, I’m curious: Was there a significant conversation between the Millers and their son, beyond the usual “tidy your room” or “eat your vegetables”?

As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that Jamie was dealing with a significant burden. Despite appearing fine to his family, he harbored many concerns internally.

Instead, consider the possibility that space was designed as a platform for him to express his true feelings. Might things have unfolded differently if he’d been nurtured to speak freely about his emotions?

In my perspective as a film enthusiast, could I have grasped my feelings better? If so, would it have prevented a young girl’s tragic demise?

As a film enthusiast, I find myself drawn to narratives that delve into the complexities of human nature rather than justifying or excusing the inexcusable. These stories serve as a window into understanding the intricate forces at play, compelling someone to act in ways we might find unimaginable – and it’s this insight that I believe can help us work towards preventing such incidents from reoccurring.

Knowledge is power.

Eddie exclaims in confusion as armed officers storm into his home, “I haven’t done anything! This must be the wrong place! I assure you!

The Millers appear to be just like any other ordinary family. They reside in a typical house on a regular suburban street. From a distance, they might resemble your own family quite closely. In fact, there are likely many families similar to theirs that you’re familiar with. Upon first glance, the Millers seem entirely normal and unexceptional.

Nevertheless, Eddie’s thirteen-year-old boy, who appears just as you’d imagine a thirteen-year-old would, was apprehended for fatally stabbing a young woman.

No, there is nothing normal about that.

In an unexpected twist, the demises of Louise Hunt and Bebe King seem to tell a different story than what one might initially assume, as corroborated by the NPCC report I’ve mentioned earlier.

The responsibility for staying safe is often placed on women and girls, with many suggestions coming from influential figures about how they should navigate the world to avoid harm or danger. This implies a survival-focused existence for them.

However, true safety for women and girls can only be achieved when responsibility is not just on men, but also on boys, before they are influenced by casual sexism (or any form of discrimination) and misogyny. Before their concept of masculinity becomes distorted, before male pride or vulnerability dominates everything around them, disregarding the happiness, rights, and lives of others.

It’s only when the focus is primarily on men and boys in discussions that I genuinely believe women and girls can feel secure.

2025-03-08 11:38

Read More