Netflix’s latest British drama series, Adolescence, has been trending at the no. 1 spot since its release on March 13, 2025. The four-part miniseries, rated TV-MA, dives deep into the unsettling realities of teenage life in today’s society, touching on themes like knife crime, toxic masculinity, and the dangerous pull of online radicalization.
Created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne and directed by Philip Baratini, the story is told in real-time through continuous, unbroken shots. It follows the arrest of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, accused of murdering his classmate, Katie.
The Premise
At the heart of Adolescence is Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy arrested for the murder of a classmate. The story unfolds from multiple perspectives—his devastated family, the detectives investigating the case, and the community left reeling from the tragedy.
Episode one opens with the shocking arrest that throws the Millers into chaos. Jamie sobs as officers read him his rights, insisting he did nothing wrong. At the station, his father, Eddie, stands in as his suitable adult, his anguish palpable as he watches his son strip for a search and endure blood tests. The interrogation that follows leaves Eddie in turmoil—confronted with what Jamie claims he didn’t do.
As DS Misha Frank and DI Luke Bascombe investigate in episode two, piecing together Jamie’s life, they interview his classmates and school teachers, uncovering the murky influence of social media, peer pressure, and radicalization. The word incel is thrown around, a label that baffles Bascombe, who also struggles to connect with his teenage son.
Episode three is gripping, centring on Jamie’s psychological evaluation. Briony Ariston, the assigned psychologist, attempts to decipher his mindset. He swings between rage and calmness, leaving Briony unsettled.
Episode four jumps ahead 13 months, shifting the focus to Jamie’s family. The Millers face relentless scrutiny from neighbours and a community that jeers at them. Struggling to reclaim a sense of normalcy, his parents are haunted by the question: Did they fail him, or was this always beyond their control?
Cast and Performances
One of the most powerful things about Adolescence is its cast. The performances don’t just feel real—they pull you in, making the story impossible to look away from.
At just 15, Owen Cooper delivers a performance far beyond his years as Jamie Miller. He walks a fine line between innocence and something much darker, making you feel for him one moment and fear him the next. His portrayal lingers, unsettling in the way only the best performances can be.
Stephen Graham, both a veteran actor and co-creator of the series, plays Jamie’s father, Eddie. He’s a man drowning in guilt, struggling to understand how everything went so wrong. Graham doesn’t need big speeches—his silence, his exhausted eyes, the way he barely holds himself together, say more than words ever could.
Christine Tremarco brings heartbreaking depth to Mandy Miller, Jamie’s mother. She breaks down often, overcome by the weight of it all, but unlike her husband, she doesn’t lose herself completely. She’s desperate to understand, to make sense of the unthinkable, even when it feels impossible.
Ashley Walters plays DI Luke Bascombe, the detective leading the case. He’s sharp but utterly lost when it comes to teenagers, struggling to connect both with Jamie’s case and his son. There’s a quiet frustration in his performance—a man who should have answers but doesn’t.
Then there’s Erin Doherty as Briony Ariston, the psychologist trying to unravel Jamie’s mind. At first, she thinks she understands him, and believes she has him figured out. But Jamie takes her somewhere she wasn’t prepared to go, and by the end, she’s left shaken, forced to question everything.
Every actor in Adolescence brings something painfully raw to their role. These aren’t just characters—they feel like real people, carrying real pain. It’s what makes the series so gripping, so devastating, and so unforgettable.
What I liked About Adolescence
Adolescence is a masterclass in storytelling. One of the show’s most impressive technical feats is its cinematography—every episode is shot in continuous one-take sequences, making you feel like you’re right there, a silent witness to the unfolding chaos. It’s a technical wonder, one that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
Beyond its visual brilliance, the storytelling is captivating, shedding light on the real-world struggles of teenagers—their upbringing, social life, and how the internet and social media shape their perceptions and interactions.
The acting is equally compelling, especially from the lead character. It’s rare to find a show where even the younger actors can hold their own against seasoned performers, but Adolescence pulls this off effortlessly. Every performance carries weight, adding depth to the already gripping narrative.
Most importantly, the series doesn’t just tell a story—it holds up a mirror to society. It’s a show that doesn’t just entertain; it starts conversations.
What Didn’t Work
No show is perfect, and Adolescence has a few areas where it could have been stronger.
One noticeable shortcoming is the lack of focus on the victim and her family. While the story is told primarily from the Millers’ perspective, with subtle attention given to other key players like the detective and Jamie’s friends and schoolmates, the absence of the victim’s side feels like a missed opportunity. This may be a drawback of the continuous-take cinematography, which, while immersive, doesn’t allow much flexibility to explore other aspects of the tragedy.
Another area that could have been explored in more depth is Jamie’s online radicalization. The show does an excellent job of illustrating how young people can be drawn into dangerous ideologies, but at times, this aspect is overshadowed by the investigative drama.
A deeper dive into Jamie’s digital world—his influences, the communities he engaged with, and how his mindset evolved—could have added even more layers to the narrative. The psychology analysis episode attempted to dissect his thoughts and motivations, but I’m not sure one can truly come to terms with how Jamie became who he is. His social media influences were murky at best, never quite offering the clarity needed to understand his descent fully.
Final Thoughts
Adolescence isn’t just a show. This isn’t easy viewing, but it’s necessary. It doesn’t just tell a story; it forces you to feel every heartbreak, every frustration, every question left unanswered. The performances are raw, the cinematography pulls you in, and the storytelling is painfully real. It’s a wake-up call, a mirror to society’s cracks, and a reminder of how easily things can go wrong. If you’re looking for something that lingers Adolescence is a must-watch.
How Would I Rate This Show?
4.5/5
Rating
What are your thoughts on Adolescence? Do you think it accurately captures the struggles of modern teenagers? Let’s talk about it in the comments!
Amazing review it’s amazing how you actually hit the spot making your readers feel like they’ve actually seen the movie even without have a clue about the movie nice job keep it up am loving the work
Amazing review it’s amazing how you actually hit the spot making your readers feel like they’ve actually seen the movie even without have a clue about the movie nice job keep it up am loving the work.