Netflix’s newest four-part miniseries, “Adolescence,” has generated a lot of discourse online as it has soared in popularity since its release on March 13. Currently at the No. 1 spot for the third week in a row on Netflix’s global top 10 show chart, the original series explores the chilling story of a murder, while also taking note of the impact toxic masculinity has on young men today. Regardless of its short length, the miniseries continues to draw in millions of viewers weekly as they discuss the story being told in the crime drama.
“Adolescence” tells the story of a family whose life is being turned upside down in real-time. It follows 13-year-old Jamie (Owen Cooper) who is arrested for the murder of his classmate Kelly. In the wake of such a shocking event, Jamie’s family, classmates and the police struggle to understand if and why Jamie would commit such a crime.
According to Netflix, though it is not based on a specific true story, the idea for the series was inspired by the concerns of co-creators Stephen Graham, who plays the role of Jamie’s father, and Jack Thorne, alongside director Philip Barantini, about young men in the world today.
“One of our aims was to ask, ‘What is happening to our young men these days, and what are the pressures they face from their peers, from the internet, and from social media?’” Graham said to Netflix. “And the pressures that come from all of those things are as difficult for kids here as they are the world over.”
Graham told Netflix how he heard news reports of young boys across Britain (where the show takes place) being involved with knife crimes against women, and how the events partially inspired him with this series.
“It shocked me. I was thinking, ‘What’s going on? What’s happening in society where a boy stabs a girl to death? What’s the inciting incident here?’,” he said, according to Netflix.
Themes surrounding toxic masculinity, incel culture, bullying and the impact social media has on young men today drive the story in the series. Without diving into spoilers, the portrayal of these themes is done in such a way that results in viewers feeling the impact of everything secondhand. “Adolescence” leaves viewers feeling emotionally devastated, while also taking the time to admire the art that it is, especially the acting.
Proving himself as a powerhouse of an actor at just 15, Cooper shines in this series as he plays the role of Jamie. Being his first ever acting role, Cooper only appears in two of the four episodes, but in those episodes he displayed skills that not only shocked viewers, but also Barantini himself. “Actors train for years and years and still can’t really master what Owen has done,” he said according to Variety.
Additionally, the series was filmed in one continuous shot. When asked what this meant, Barantini said, “You just press record, and then press stop an hour later.” “There’s no cuts. There’s no edits. Once you turn the production engine on, you can’t stop or go backwards.”
All four episodes of “Adolescence” are currently streaming now.
