Adolescence

Everyone is praising the acting, cinematography, and the astonishing technical achievement of filming an entire episode in a single continuous shot. And rightfully so. But in the end, what moved me the most in this real-time drama was something far more intimate-the heartbreaking realization of a father who comes to understand that he doesn't truly know his own son.

What can we really do as parents? How much control do we have over the people our children become? Are we responsible for both their virtues and their failings? These are the profound and unsettling questions at the heart of this masterfully crafted slow-burn drama. Every element-its pacing, its visual language, its raw performances-works in perfect harmony to confront us with this timeless, universal dilemma.

Did we love him enough, or love him wrong?

Were we too strict, or not strong?

Did we push him too far, expect too much?

Or did we not push him enough?

Did he hide his pain behind a smile?

Were we blind to it all the while?

Did we listen, or just assume?

Did he feel safe in his own room?

Was it the school, the friends he had?

Was it us, were we just bad?

Did we fail him, let him down?

Did he drown while we weren't around?

Was it the screens, the world online?

Did it tell him, "You're not fine"?

Did words on a phone cut too deep?

Did they steal his right to weep?

Could we have stopped it, if we knew?

If we had held him, pulled him through?

If we had said, "We're here, just talk," Would he have stayed, taken one more walk?

Who do we blame? The world? Ourselves?

Do we lock the past on dusty shelves?

Or do we ask, do we learn, So no more Jamies fail to return?

"Adolescence" is a wound so real, A story that makes you stop and feel.

A parent's grief, a lesson told, A tale too heavy to let go cold.

As a parent, I found it to be an eye-opening watch-scary, puzzling, and deeply psychological. It felt genuine and painfully realistic as the motive behind the crime slowly revealed itself. The pacing of the scenes and the camera work were exceptionally well done. The dialogue was well-written, with just enough silent moments to encourage introspection and allow us to reflect on the issues raised in our own lives and experiences.

Not to mention the incredible acting-the performances were outstanding. I even went back and rewatched some parts after realizing that the young actor had never performed on screen before. What a talent-natural, captivating, and truly remarkable. An amazing start to what will hopefully be a long and successful career on screen.

Thank you!

Rate it less than 10.

The pattern from the lower ratings are because the usual expectations on entertainment wasnt met. This show isnt supposed to follow a typical series / movie formula, if youre looking for an obvious plot, this isnt for you. If you're allergic to questions without answers, this isnt for you. If you need a sense of right or wrong, true or false, this isnt for you.

This show is a 10, picturing human moments during a life crashing event. The long sequences and superb acting in each episode really puts its foot on our necks to experience just four insightful moments in "real time" of something extremely impactful for everyone involved. This show is emotionally genius!

I'm surprised by all the high ratings Adolescence is getting. Don't get me wrong-it's a well-directed and beautifully shot series, and the acting is strong across the board. But in terms of plot and character development, it falls short.

The series is structured into four episodes, each from a different point of view: the police, the school, the psychiatrist, and the family. It's a clever narrative device, but we never truly get to see Jamie's point of view. For a story built around his actions, that's a major absence. We're left watching others try to explain him instead of hearing from him directly.

There are hints at trauma, neglect, and bullying, but nothing is explored in enough depth to justify what happens. His parents come off more as out-of-touch than harmful. The bullying is there, but not portrayed as relentless. Online comments and peer pressure seem to trigger Jamie's violent outburst, but it feels sudden and underdeveloped.

Then there's the subplot with the father being harassed, which also felt unclear and undeserved. Was it a misunderstanding? Was the town just lashing out? The series never explains.

I did appreciate the structure and artistic ambition, and I actually think it could've been brilliant-if there was a fifth episode from Jamie's perspective. That could've tied the story together and helped the audience understand what was going on inside his mind, even if we didn't agree with it.

As it stands, Adolescence is good, even thought-provoking-but not the masterpiece some make it out to be. It delivers atmosphere and emotion through style, but not always through substance.