On March 14, Netflix released a limited British crime-drama called “Adolescence.” During the weekend following the release date, the show was the most watched on the platform worldwide with critically acclaimed reviews from both viewers and critics. The show follows the aftermath and backlash of a 13-year-old boy named Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) who was accused of murdering his classmate. Of course, there are many murder documentaries and dramas similar to the premise of the show, but the series does not follow the usual – rather, it challenges the stereotype.
In four episodes, the show plays out a total of 13 months. During those months, we viewers watch as the rabbit hole of Jamie Miller’s case gets deeper and more graphic. Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe (Ashley Walters) and his partner, Briony Artiston (Erin Doherty) slowly unravel more of the truth. With Jamie being heavily mentally reliant on his father at first, Eddie Miller (Stephen Graham), it’s difficult to see how the characters evolve throughout the show. It causes a type of internal turmoil that makes one extremely uncomfortable, but just like a train wreck, your eyes are glued.
From the very start of the show, your attention is immediately drawn to the realism. The show doesn’t directly acknowledge your presence, but the way it’s filmed is as though you’re standing right in the middle of arguments or high-pressure situations. Director Philip Barantani, along with writers Jack Thorne and Graham, has a signature style when it comes to filming which he used in this show – one-shot filming.
The show starts off with just a light, simple introduction to two main characters on a quiet morning. It’s simple and slow, and one can’t expect much from just a little heart-to-heart between the two. But then not even five minutes into the show, viewers are immediately thrown into a scene where officers are barging into a common family home, searching for Jamie with guns early in the morning. 20 minutes after that, Jamie is already speaking to his solicitor. All chaos ensues at once, and it’s hard to take your eyes off the suspense.
Each of the four episodes are filmed in approximately one hour increments, each covering a major part of the case whilst taking in multiple perspectives of every character involved. The one-shot technique that Baratani uses only adds to the alreadying teetering precipice of tension and confusion mixed together. Each character and scene plays out realistically, however one cannot expect one thing to happen, as the next moment can completely contradict prior assumptions.
Although the show presents itself as the standard psychological-crime drama series, the meaning goes far beyond. On the surface, it may appear to be another case of mental immaturity from young boys, but it’s much more than that – it’s commentary on societal values, specifically gender roles, among younger generations. In recent years in England, shocking stabbings of young girls done by boys have increased dramatically – with studies claiming that such boys have misogynistic thoughts against women. With that in mind, Barantani wanted to explore and express concern over intentions and societal factors (modern-day masculinity) mixed into the boys’ young minds. Due to the influence of many content creators online and the up rise of controversial opinions, children of all ages and backgrounds have been vulnerable and susceptible to questionable content. Thus, Barantani created this show to not only entertain, but to reflect off of the sad reality that we live in today.
If you’re the type of person to enjoy a quick, heart-wrenching, and nerve-wrecking show, then “Adolescence” is the show for you. It has the perfect mix of suspense, drama, and heartfelt moments, and it took viewers worldwide on a roller coaster ride of emotions and still remains the number one show on Netflix days after its release. The horror isn’t the crime itself, but it’s the physical and emotional aftermath that leaves Jamie, his family, the detectives, and viewers drained, but awake to the truth.
