Acclaimed Netflix Drama ‘Adolescence’ Is a Number One Streaming Hit

The following article contains mild spoilers for Adolescence.

The most recent drama released on Netflix has climbed up the streaming charts, and it currently sits in the number one spot of the streamer’s most popular TV shows. Adolescence, starring Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper, was released only a few days ago, and so far, the drama miniseries has captivated audiences nationwide with its realistic depiction of the aftermath of a crime. The four-episode miniseries sits above Netflix originals like Running Point, Zero Day, reality series Temptation Island and true crime docuseries American Murder: Gabby Petito.

Adolescence was created by Jack Thorne (His Dark Materials, Enola Holmes) and Stephen Graham (Peaky Blinders, This Is England, Snatch), and all episodes were directed by Philip Barantini (Boiling Point, Malpractice). It takes place in real-time, and all four episodes are shot in a single take. It stars Graham and Cooper alongside Christine Tremarco, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty, Faye Marsay, and Jo Hartley, among others.

The show takes place after police raid the home of a 13-year-old boy who gets accused of murder. Jamie Miller (Cooper) is taken to a police station with his family. He is appointed a public defender, and he selects his father as the adult who will represent him at all times. The first episode sees the harrowing events inside the station where Jamie and his father, Eddie, are shown the indisputable evidence of the crime. Jamie has been officially accused of stabbing a girl multiple times and leaving her for dead. He claims he did not do it.

The following episodes show a police investigation at Jamie’s school, Jamie’s therapy session with an independent psychologist, and the consequences of the crime in Jamie’s family. All done in a one-shot format where scenes are not interrupted and the viewer witnesses first-hand the resolution of a crime that has a dark undertone to it. Authenticity is a major aspect of the Netflix series, which still sits at 100% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes, while the Popcornmeter (Audience Score) is currently at 75%.

Is ‘Adolescence’ Based on a True Story?

Netflix’s Adolescence is a jarring exercise in drama that has all the features of a true-crime series. Nevertheless, as co-creator Graham told Rolling Stone U.K., it is not based on a true story. His answer about the show’s inspiration also hints at the reason behind the title: “There have been a number of incidents where young boys were stabbing and killing young girls, and I’m calling them young boys because they’re not developed to be men.”

The show addresses themes of misogyny, homophobia, and most of all, bullying. All those involved with the crime, even indirectly, confront a reality that’s shockingly present in teenage culture nowadays. From the use of terms like “incel” to bully a young boy to the bizarre dictionary of emoji combinations, Adolescence opens a window to an eerie underworld where control seems to be theoretical, and parents are mere observers of a monstrous social dynamic. Graham believes Adolescence is a good opportunity to raise some truly important questions about the influence and the darkness of social media:

“Boys are very influenced in many ways… I was looking online at a workout thing that our Alfie [his son] sent me, and it was a good workout. Three or four days later, the algorithm — which I don’t understand — showed me the same gentleman again, and he was telling me his misogynistic opinions and views.

“I was able to say ‘Yeah, that’s not for me,’ but what if I was a 13-year-old boy who didn’t really have an ideal relationship with my father, and all of a sudden I’m seeing this man who has everything I aspire to have — a fancy car and loads of money — this man who is everything I, maybe, aspire to be? If you’re influencing the youth with your own views and opinions, then surely you know that we need to be mindful of what’s being said.

I’m very proud to have been a part of it. I just hope it can raise some extremely important conversations.”

Source: Rolling Stone U.K.