Adolescence

I don't normally write a review but I decided to write this because EVERYONE should watch Adolescence. It is a rollercoaster of a show. Every episode takes you down a different rabbit hole. The writing is impeccable. The characters are perfectly executed by the actors. Episode one was heartbreaking, episode two had me holding my breath as I watched it, episode three was shocking and unexpected and episode four was heartbreaking all over again. I am most certainly going to sit and watch this again as I feel that there is such complexity and depth that I will see even more next time round. Congrats to everyone involved in this project- it is flawless!

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.

Adolescence is a bold and ambitious miniseries that tries something different with how it's filmed. The entire show is shot in one long, continuous take, which creates a tense and immersive feeling, pulling viewers into the emotional struggles of the characters.

The standout performance comes from Owen Cooper, who plays Jamie-a 13-year-old accused of murder. His acting is powerful and emotional, bringing some much-needed depth to a character we don't learn much about. Stephen Graham also gives a strong performance, adding weight to the scenes he's in, although they both do not appear in every episode.

However, despite how impressive it looks, the show has some clear problems. The characters aren't fully developed, and the story doesn't move forward in a satisfying way. We don't get much insight into Jamie's thoughts or reasons behind his actions, which makes it hard to connect with him. Key parts of the plot, like what happens to the murder weapon or how the investigation unfolds, are left hanging.

The single-take filming style, while interesting, also leads to some scenes dragging on too long, making the pacing feel slow. The show tries to explore big issues like teenage trauma, social media pressure, and family problems-but it doesn't go deep enough, leaving its message unclear.

All in all, Adolescence is visually impressive and emotionally intense, especially for those who enjoy unique storytelling. But if you prefer a strong plot and fully developed characters, you might come away feeling let down.

Performances: 9 points, story: 7 points.

It's a hard watch, absolutely haunting. One episode in and I'm already struggling. Acting is Oscar worthy. You find yourself torn between compassion for the accused, and the desire for justice. Being British and living in Texas I'm very proud of this production, genuine art in motion.

Some have said this is boring, and as a hater of boring, I can tell you, it's not boring. Every scene carries trauma, emotion, desperation, confusion and love. It's a hodgepodge of horror and hope.

This is not my normal fair, but I found myself transfixed throughout. It doesn't matter if you're an action fan, horror, sci fi, thriller or drama, this show will have you on the edge.

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!