Adolescence: the Netflix series everyone is talking about

Adolescence was released on March 13 on Netflix and quickly reached remarkable popularity on the platform. The series has captured the attention of many, receiving praise for the high quality of its production. It consists of four episodes, filmed in one take and in real time.

The miniseries is presented as a dramatic thriller that addresses the problem of juvenile delinquency. The story follows Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy, played by Owen Cooper, whose life and that of his family are devastated when he is accused of the murder of Katie, a classmate. From that moment on, family life is explored while their son is in custody for a crime, as well as the police investigation aimed at discovering the truth behind the crime and the motivations surrounding it.

A touching story

Adolescence begins as a crime drama. Jamie Miller, faces the accusation of having murdered a classmate with a knife. In this context, the narrative initially focuses on how the British judicial system handles such a serious crime. Through an impeccable sequence shot, the production manages to convey the experience of Jamie and his family, allowing the viewer to closely follow the challenges they face.

However, in its second episode, the story reveals its narrative aspirations. This time, it focuses on Inspector Luke Bascombe , who seeks to obtain information about the events that occurred. Using the resource of the sequence plan again, the story accompanies the officer in his work of interrogating students, talking to teachers and dealing with the bullying that his own son is suffering from. Each of these elements offers a perspective on the reality of young people today, highlighting, above all, the limited understanding that adults have of the lives of contemporary adolescents.

In the third chapter, the story focuses on Jamie. After a time jump of several months, he finds himself in a legal rehabilitation center. The narrative uses this situation to investigate youthful anger, suffering, pressure related to a harmful concept of masculinity and the underlying violence. All this is presented through a singular experience that turns the camera into a meticulous observer of the events. At the same time, the complexity of the issues is addressed without resorting to additional explanations or perspectives, leaving the interpretation of the facts to speak for itself.

In the fourth and final chapter, the series focuses on Jamie's family, especially his father Eddie, who is consumed with guilt and disoriented by the situation with his son. The script manages to delve exceptionally deep into the pain, sadness and regrets of an ordinary family, torn apart by a violent event. In addition, it is emphasized that there are no simple or obvious answers to such a crime.

An amazing detail that went unnoticed

An aspect that has gone unnoticed by many viewers is revealed at the end of the series. In the final episode, a version of the song "Through the Eyes of Child" is heard, but with a particularity: it is the first and only time that the voice of Katie, the victim of the crime, is heard.

This element is relevant because the teen girl, played by Emilia Holliday, only appears in the first episode through the security camera recordings that documented the attack. Her voice is not heard until that decisive moment.

Adolescence has received awards for its truthful representation of the risks faced by young people in the contemporary digital context. Through the story of an ordinary family, it illustrates how anyone can find themselves in extreme situations without having anticipated it.

The narrative focuses on the influence of social media on today's youth and the potentially devastating effects it can have on seemingly normal families. Stephen Graham, the co-creator of the series, stated that their aim was to highlight the pressures young people encounter in the digital age.