Adolescence Review: A Series Every Parent And Teen Needs To Watch

Image Source: The Express Tribune

From cautiously clicking “Play" to being emotionally flattened by the finale, my journey with Netflix’s latest British drama Adolescence has been a rollercoaster. This isn’t just another show to binge and forget this is a story that grabs your gut and doesn’t let go. I felt compelled to write this Adolescence Netflix series review not only to share how it impacted me but to emphasize why this series needs to be part of the broader conversation especially among parents and teenagers.

Created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, and directed by Philip Barantini, Adolescence is a gut-wrenching look into the complexities of growing up in the digital age. It’s a crime drama, yes but one that goes deeper, tackling themes of toxic masculinity, social media manipulation, and parental disconnect. Now, let me share my thoughts on this chilling Netflix series.

Exploring the Themes of Adolescence: Cyberbullying and Social Media Influence (Spoiler Alert)

The series begins with an intense and disorienting scene where a 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) is arrested in the middle of the night, accused of murdering his classmate, 14-year-old Katie Leonard. His mother, Manda (Christine Tremarco), is in denial, his father, Eddie (Stephen Graham), is stunned, and Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe (Ashley Walters) and his team are under pressure to uncover the truth of that fateful night. Initially the 13 year old Jamie is in denial and is seen protesting his own innocence until a CCTV recording of the incident is revealed. In shock and in horror his father Eddie tries to understand what went really wrong with his son.

It all starts in second episode when DI Bascombe and DS Misha Frank (Faye Marsay) visits Jamie Miller's school to know more about the incident. This episode in itself reveals horrifying information behind the cute emoticons being treated as some secret code for something more hideous amongst the teenagers. One of the major thing this episode establishes is the language of the young generation. From trying to decipher what YNK (You Never Know) to BRB (Be Right Back) it seems that the teens are creating a own language which is difficult to decipher.

When Bascombe finally understands the meanings of all those emoticons and the word incel from his own son who goes to the same school as Jamie he is petrified and is in utter shock to say the least. The revelations of red pill, dynamite, incel and the 80-20 rule all coming together seems like a dangerous mess and that too at a place like school. Its a whole new world of slangs and terms where anything is not as innocent as it seems to be. It suddenly seems like all those colourful emoji's are altogether a dark world which is unleashing its sword at the young minds.

The one thing that is going to haunt me forever is the conversation between Jamie and his psychologist Briony Ariston played by the brilliant Erin Doherty. The conversation which starts as a standard psychological evaluation quickly turns chilling in just minutes. Initially, Jamie seems cooperative, even casual, but when Briony probes into his motives, his tone shifts. He justifies his anger toward his classmate Katie, blaming her rejection and social media humiliation for his actions. As Jamie's words reveal deep-seated misogyny and a disturbing lack of remorse, Briony grows visibly uneasy. The tension peaks when his calm facade cracks, exposing his deep anger and the troubling mindset. Shaken, Briony ends the session abruptly, realizing the darkness lurking beneath Jamie’s composed exterior.

The series from the beginning was never a whodunit instead it was the question why which was lurking deep from the first episode. From the start we know that Jamie is the one who has committed a crime but the reason as to why such a young child took a step to end a life and that too so brutal. The show explores the psyche of a young mind who believes he is innocent but is really the person responsible for it. It shows that it is not always the parents faults but a deep analysis on how they feel at responsibility for their child did turn out. At a whole it is a eye opening series which I wish would never be the truth.

Cast Performances in Adolescence: Spotlight on Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper

This 2025 British series is all about the chilling performances from the cast and the charcters they played. So lets take a breakdown of each of the characters that makes this series a huge success.

In his debut role, Cooper delivers a chilling performance by shifting seamlessly between an awkward, harmless teenager and a deeply unsettling figure. His ability to portray Jamie’s lack of remorse with subtle facial expressions and calculated dialogue makes his character even more disturbing. His tense sessions with Erin Doherty’s Briony Ariston are standout moments, as he skillfully balances manipulation with eerie detachment. We cannot discuss this show without highlighting the Stephen Graham Adolescence performance. Graham brings raw intensity to the role of Jamie’s father, portraying a man torn between love and disbelief. His performance captures Eddie’s slow slump from denial to painful acceptance, particularly in moments of silent grief. His reaction to watching Jamie’s police interview perfectly encapsulates the heartbreak of realizing his son may not be innocent. 

Ashley Walters as DI Bascombe delivers a grounded and quietly intense performance as the lead detective. His composed, methodical approach contrasts sharply with the disturbing nature of the case. His best moments come during Jamie’s interrogation, where his steady but firm questioning forces cracks something in Jamie. Doherty’s nuanced performance as Jamie’s psychologist is one of the show’s strongest. She begins as professional and detached as she can be, but as Jamie’s true nature emerges, her unease becomes palpable. Her growing discomfort, especially during the chilling justifications, is conveyed through her subtle expressions and body language. Her final scene, where she ends their session abruptly, leaves a lasting impact, showing how deeply shaken she is.

Also the other characters that too were worth praising are Faye Marsay, Christine Tremarco and Amelia Pease. Each one of them brought a human touch and a  life to the characters they played. Each one of played their part making it believable and dreadful.

Directorial Approach: Philip Barantini's Unique Filming Techniques in Adolescence

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Philip Barantini’s  filming technique makes Adolescence quite a nerve-wracking experience. The lack of cuts forces viewers to stay locked into each moment, unable to escape the mounting tension. Conversations feel more natural, emotions linger uncomfortably, and the documentary-like realism adds to the gut-wrenching storytelling. Barantini doesn’t rely on shocking visuals or over-dramatized moments. Instead, he builds suspense through raw, intimate scenes that feel as if they could be happening in any real-life family. 

Final Thoughts on Adolescence: Why It's Essential Viewing for Parents and Teens

Adolescence is a haunting, thought-provoking series that lingers long even after the credits roll. With gripping performances especially from Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty, and Ashley Walters it delivers a chilling exploration of youth, crime, and the unseen dangers of the digital age. Every moment is layered with tension, making it not just any crime drama but a deeply unsettling character study that stays with you.

What are your impressions of Adolescence? Do you think it accurately portrays the challenges faced by today's teenagers? Share your views in the comments below."