“Adolescence,” streaming on Netflix, explores the tragic loss of youth through the story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is arrested for fatally stabbing his classmate, Katie. The series, filmed in one continuous shot, immerses viewers in the criminal justice process as Jamie grapples with his guilt and the motives behind his actions. It tackles themes of social media’s impacts and societal expectations of masculinity, highlighting Jamie’s struggles with perceived bullying and accusations of being an “incel.” The final episode delves into his family’s pain, culminating in Jamie’s decision to plead guilty, prompting reflections on parental guilt and accountability.
WCaution: This article includes spoilers for Adolescence
Adolescence, now available on Netflix, revolves around the heartbreaking theme of lost youth. The narrative begins with police in a small northern English town breaking into the room of 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) and apprehending him on suspicion of fatally stabbing a female classmate, Katie.
Throughout its four episodes, the Miller family is put through a harrowing journey as they are thrust into the complexities of the criminal justice system. Filmed in a single continuous take, the show immerses viewers in the turmoil while addressing significant issues such as the hazards of social media and societal pressures surrounding masculinity.
Here’s what you need to know about Adolescence.
Key issues explored in Adolescence
Initially, Jamie insists he’s innocent until Detective Inspector Bascombe (Ashley Walters) confronts him with security footage showing him committing the murder, revealing the full gravity of his actions. The primary question shifts to his motives as authorities attempt to understand why he killed Katie and search for the murder weapon. As the investigation unfolds, police delve into Jamie and Katie’s social media interactions to uncover the dynamics of their relationship.
Plot developments in Adolescence
A significant portion of the opening episode details the monotonous processes of entering the criminal justice system—the interrogation, fingerprinting, and various procedural walks. Nonetheless, viewers remain engaged, eager to find out Jamie’s fate post-arrest.
The second episode deepens the investigation as Inspector Bascombe visits Jamie’s school, where his son Adam also studies, seeking clues about the murder weapon. During this visit, Adam points out the disparaging implications of certain emojis Katie used in her messages to Jamie on Instagram, leading Bascombe to consider the possibility of cyberbullying. This case inadvertently helps the father-son duo to connect on a deeper level.
In the third episode, Erin Doherty portrays Briony Ariston, a psychologist assigned to assess Jamie. During their session, Jamie recounts trying to ask Katie out following the circulation of a topless photo of her, which was shared maliciously. He attempted to reach out and support her, but was met with rejection and ridicule from her, ultimately being labeled an “incel” (involuntary celibate) in her messages.
The series implies that Jamie’s decision to kill Katie was a reaction to emotional pain from her rejection.
Insights on incel culture from Adolescence
Based on his peers’ use of emojis on Instagram, Adam speculates that Katie was labeling Jamie as an incel, a derogatory term linked to an online subculture among men’s rights advocates who bond over their experiences of rejection from women.
Bascombe is taken aback, exclaiming, “He’s 13! How can he be an involuntary celibate at 13?”
Adam responds, “She’s implying he always will be. That’s how they define ‘incel.’ They say you’ll be a virgin forever,” noting that others were echoing her sentiments.
There are real-world instances of incels who have resorted to violence, such as Alek Minassian, who killed 10 people in Toronto in 2018, and Elliot Rodger, who carried out a deadly spree in 2014 near UC Santa Barbara, fueled by misogynistic rage.
Adam explains that his classmates often suggest that 80% of women tend to favor 20% of men, highlighting the pressure that young men feel when developing feelings for female peers. In the wake of the #MeToo movement, young men find themselves navigating how to appropriately approach women in a society that provides space for freedom of choice, yet does not justify violent outcomes. Furthermore, unlike previous generations, they have access to social media that exposes them to information that might not be suitable for their age.
Director Philip Barantini, who has a seven-year-old daughter, hopes the series fosters greater empathy for the struggles faced by today’s youth, stating, “In my youth, if you had a disagreement, you resolved it at school and then moved on, but social media complicates that process.”
The unique impact of Adolescence’s one-take filming style
Set over a span of 13 months and shot in a single continuous take, the film intensifies the on-screen drama.
“This method means we start recording and don’t stop until the hour concludes,” Barantini explains in the press materials.
To facilitate this, Barantini and cinematographer Matt Lewis spent weeks developing miniature scene models, rehearsing precise movements for the actors to follow during filming.
“It was a great experience, and I now prefer this style—I’d love to do a one-shot again,” shared Owen Cooper, 14, who plays Jamie, reflecting on his debut film role.
Other actors noted that the one-shot technique created a bond among them. Doherty, portraying the psychologist, expressed that the lack of cuts made her and Cooper feel exposed, which, in turn, strengthened their connection.
The conclusion of Adolescence
The concluding episode shifts focus from Jamie to the impact of his situation on his parents.
Set on Jamie’s father Eddie’s birthday, it begins bleakly as Eddie discovers that his plumbing van has been vandalized. His family attempts to uplift his spirits even while heading to buy supplies. A fleeting smile crosses his face as his wife (Christine Tremarco) reminisces about their first meeting with their daughter Lisa (Amelie Pease).
However, the day takes a turn for the worse when Eddie receives a call from Jamie in prison during their car ride home. Jamie calls not only to wish his father a happy birthday but also to reveal his intention to plead guilty to Katie’s murder, marking the first moment viewers learn his decision. In this final episode, Jamie is only heard as an isolated voice.
At home, the parents engage in a familiar yet painful dialogue, questioning what they could have done differently as parents to avert this tragedy— a recurring theme since Jamie’s arrest. Eddie consistently reassures his wife that they couldn’t have monitored him constantly. The scene concludes with both parents in tears.