Everyone is talking about Netflix’s Adolescence, a four-part limited series that tells the gripping story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), whose life is shattered when he is arrested for the murder of a teenage girl, Katie, from his school. What is Netflix’s hit series Adolescence really about?
The crime drama is written by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, who also plays the role as Jamie’s father (incredibly I must add), directed by Philip Barantini and co-produced by Brad Pitt’s production company, Plan B Entertainment, in collaboration with Warp Films and Matriarch Productions. I surprisingly noted Pitt’s name in the credits as an executive producer, suggesting he contributed to the development and production of the series.
What is Netflix’s hit series Adolescence really about?
Adolescence is not a who-dun-it; it’s also not a series that centers around Katie, the victim, or the grief of her family. Instead, the fascinating series, with each episode filmed entirely in one take—which is impressive in itself–focuses on the why. It dives deeper into the reasons behind the tragedy rather than the events themselves.
It presents a complex look at the consequences of a tragic event, focusing not just on the victim’s family but also on the wider ripple effects on the perpetrator’s family too. It also gives a thought-provoking look at the pressures facing young people today, and the larger societal issues, such as the negative and dangerous influence of social media on young minds.
Different perspective on tragedy
The show doesn’t just focus on the details of the murder of the young girl, the victim’s family and their grief. It offers a powerful commentary on the importance of understanding the “why” behind Jamie’s horrific actions, and the responsibility of parents in guiding their teenaged children through today’s challenges.
It shifts the focus to understand the factors that influenced the perpetrator. We get a look into Jamie, a seemingly normal student, who we discover has become heavily influenced by external pressures like social media, cyberbullying, and peer pressure. In the first episode, we believe Jamie who is only 13 years old, couldn’t have killed a girl. They caught the wrong person. His father accompanies him to the police station for questioning and we believe Jamie is innocent. Jamie is played by Owen Cooper in his acting debut; it’s hard to believe this was his first time acting, and to play his role in complete character for the entire, powerful third episode, is a testament to his talent and future as an actor.
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Exploring Jamie’s background
The show contrasts the typical narrative of a troubled child from an abusive or broken home. In this case, Jamie appears to have a stable and loving family, making it even more surprising and unsettling how external factors (like online influence) can still have such a dramatic and tragic impact on his life. I was waiting to see whether his father or mother was abusive, or if Jamie experienced trauma which some might think would’ve contributed to his anger issues. But no. Instead, the show delves into themes of masculinity, misogyny, and toxic male rage, exploring the growing influence of incel culture—a term for men who blame society and women for their romantic struggles. We learn about Jamie’s early exposure to porn and more influential, inappropriate photos of girls in his school being shared around flippantly through social media.
The show delves into the reality of young boys being influenced by the growing “manosphere,” online communities that promote rigid, traditional views of masculinity and often propagate misogynistic stereotypes about women. Within these spaces, boys and men exchange ideas related to “alpha male” and “incel” cultures. The show also highlights the impact of real-life influencers, specifically calling out one of the most prominent figures in the “manosphere” Andrew Tate in its second episode. Police share that Jamie might have been influenced by Tate’s misogynistic teachings. Tate and his brother Tristan Tate have been accused of rape and human trafficking, allegations they both deny.
Importance of parental attention
There’s a strong emphasis on the responsibility of parents to be more attentive to their children’s lives, especially in the digital age. The show underscores how children are influenced by the external world, often through their screens, which can have far-reaching consequences. It suggests that the formative years are crucial and that parents should remain vigilant as their children grow, emphasizing that adolescence isn’t just a phase that ends at a certain age.
In an interview with Rolling Stone UK, co-writer and actor Graham who portrays Jamie’s father, Eddie Miller, explained that while Adolescence is not based on a true story, it drew inspiration from real-life events, particularly multiple cases in the U.K. involving the stabbing of teenage girls.
Graham discussed the show’s focus on the influence of outside forces on young people, noting that in the past, when children faced challenges, they were simply sent to their rooms to keep them away from harm. But in those seemingly harmless bedrooms, teenagers can open the door to the world through the internet and social media and fall into dark and dangerous places.
Ripple effect of tragedy
Adolescence highlights how the loss of life impacts not only the victim’s family but also the perpetrator’s family, who are also innocent in their own way. The emotional toll on the Jamie’s family is explored; his mother and father wondering where they went wrong. Jamie’s sister, a teenager herself, is trying to carry on a normal teen life but has grown up too quickly with her brother’s actions. The heart-wrenching final scene with the Jamie’s father, which Graham plays brilliantly, tucking in the teddy bear with tears streaming down his face, questioning if he’s to blame for son’s actions, due to his shortcomings as a father. The scenes in the fourth episode illustrate how a tragedy like this affects everyone involved, and how the family attempts to move forward with their lives but will never be able to forget what happened or live a life of peace any longer. Their lives are forever changed.
Have you see Adolescence yet? What did you think?