In the gripping television series Adolescence on Netflix, the seasoned actor Stephen Graham embodies the role of a father from Liverpool, who’s world is shattered when his young 13-year-old son is implicated in the brutal murder of a schoolgirl. The short but intense drama spans a mere four episodes, under the expert direction of renowned Philip Barantini. It provides a stirring narrative of a teenager, Jamie Miller who finds himself arrested on the grave accusations of murdering Katie, a fellow school student.
The plot immediately descends into an exploration of Jamie’s psyche, conveyed through detailed police interrogations, as well as a memorable session with a mental health professional. Concurrently, a serious investigation of Katie’s murder unfolds led by a formidable team, Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe and District Attorney Misha Frank. The show, Adolescence, though a work of fiction, finds its inspiration in the alarming incidence of knife attacks permeating all across the UK, making it an uncomfortably plausible narrative.
The storyline will strike deep chords with parents of teens, compelling them to grapple with an unsettling question – how would you cope if your teenage child was implicated in a heinous crime such as murder, and what would your response be? Rather than simply being another detective tale, this show delves into the psychological realm, exploring the widespread emotional effects such a traumatic event can impact on various individuals.
A distinguishing feature of Adolescence is its novel filming style, wherein each episode is captured in an extensive, unbroken shot. In the startling commencement of the first episode, the peaceful world of an average family is abruptly shattered when police officials storm their residence, causing damage and detaining their young son Jamie on murder charges. There is no cut in the filming, from the home invasion to the time Jamie is formally booked in at the police station.
These protracted sequences introduce a unique element of sustained tension that keeps you intrigued till the end. The scenes can be described as inherently intense and slightly discomforting. This technique, while not being necessary for the story to unfold, certainly adds a unique layer to it. The technique’s effectiveness varies across episodes. For example, the third episode employed it magnificently, while the final episode might have been better told in a more traditional format.
The acting talent displayed in the series is praiseworthy, with Owen Cooper especially standing out. Despite this being his first professional role, Cooper’s performance managed to captivate the audience. The challenging task of acting extended scenes in his debut act was executed flawlessly by him.
The third episode stands as my personal favorite, in which Jamie is visited by the character Briony Ariston, a clinical psychologist appointed to examine his mental health. The narrative is primarily confined to a single room where Jamie is subjected to intensely personal and probing questions aimed to decipher his mental state. This episode effectively articulates the unsettled emotions and psyche of young Jamie and is guaranteed to leave viewers both mesmerized and disturbed.
Owen Cooper’s solo monologues in the show deserve a special mention. Ranging from sensitive moments of vulnerability to explosive fits of rage, his articulate performance is simply commendable. A noteworthy narrative feature is the character trajectory of Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe who is tasked with detaining Jamie on murder charges. His fervent quest for justice, coupled with DA Misha Frank portrayed by Faye Marsay, makes for compelling viewing.
In the second episode, Bascombe and Frank take their investigation to Jamie’s school, seeking clues that might shed light on the possible motivations behind Katie’s murder. Adding significant gravitas to this narrative is of course, Stephen Graham, who delivers a sterling performance as Jamie’s father, providing the right balance of devastation and support.
Adolescence digs into profound themes, and makes them feel strikingly familiar to the audience. It has the potential to elicit strong reactions from viewers by raising awareness about the menace of knife crime and the devastating effects it can ripple through communities. This hard-hitting show will undoubtedly unsettle parents of teenagers and could prove to be a particularly tough viewing for those responsible for a school-aged child.
Adolescence presents a deeply impactful drama imbued with pertinent social commentary on issues like bullying, toxic masculinity, and the lethal dangers threatening today’s youth. Although the narrative is not rooted in an actual event, it throws light on the persisting problem of knife crime during this critical time in the UK, where such incidents are sadly commonplace.
Adolescence might have actually benefited from having additional episodes. By the end, several characters seemed underdeveloped, leaving viewers eager to learn more about them. Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe’s character arc in particular, comes to mind, leaving you wanting a deeper exploration of his character and his journey through the investigation.
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