[TV] Adolescence - Netflix 4 part drama written by and starring Stephen Graham

[Mellotron]

Getting rave reviews, and I felt it worth it's own thread as a recommend.

Hard-hitting look at rising disaffection and violence amongst young men in the West, and the dangers social media and tossers like Andrew Tate pose to young impressionable males.

BBC - Adolescence creators want show aired in Parliament

Also talks about having it shown in schools.

As ever, Graham is absolutely phenomenal and even just describing the first episode to my wife the other day, I could almost feel myself getting emotional, being as I am the father of a 7 year old lad, who can be withdrawn at times.

 

[Hotchilidog]

Watched it in one sitting. It's an astonishing drama and just incredibly sad. The acting was superb throughout with Owen Cooper astounding as Jamie.

 

[Cheggers]

I've not seen it yet, but my daughter said it was really good. I will give it a watch.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Faultless television

 

[DFL JCL]

2 episodes in. Excellent so far. Our kids are never getting mobile phones.

 

[Simster]

Magnificent television.


Naturally it's now being politicised over Twitter - once one of the best social media platforms around, now just home to alt-right twats and normal people who love a squabble.

 

[AK74]

Binged all 4 episodes last night. Might as well give out the BAFTAs now. Acting. Writing. Camera work.

Superb all-round.

 

[Normal Rob]

I'll never know how each episide is all done in one single, continuous, take. The organisation to do that is boggling.

 

[HHGull]

I'll never know how each episide is all done in one single, continuous, take. The organisation to do that is boggling.

See also Boiling Point with SG for the same. I agree - very complicated.

 

[Normal Rob]

See also Boiling Point with SG for the same. I agree - very complicated.

Seen it. Superb

 

[DIFFBROOK]

Outstanding. The acting truly exceptional.

It truly is sad. Knife crime destroys everyone around it. The victim, the victims families, friends. But also the perpetrator, their family.

It should be shown in schools. I understand completely that girls need to have the same opportunities as boys, but I honestly believe that boys have some how been forgotten. Gareth Southgate's message about male role models and the need for boys to engage in tangible things - rather than screen through phones, on line porn etc is so important.

 

[PeterOut]

I'll never know how each episide is all done in one single, continuous, take. The organisation to do that is boggling.

I agree with the comments above - just superb TV.
As to how they did it - here are a few insights - https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/mar/21/adolescence-netflix-seven-things-you-didnt-know

 

[Mellotron]

As others are saying - anyone who thought this was impressively made and acted - go and watch Boiling Point now (on Netflix) if you haven't.

 

[Is it PotG?]

As I said on the Netflix thread, right up there with the other masterpiece from the Shane Meadows and Jack Thorne pen.

 

[Mellotron]

Outstanding. The acting truly exceptional.

It truly is sad. Knife crime destroys everyone around it. The victim, the victims families, friends. But also the perpetrator, their family.

It should be shown in schools. I understand completely that girls need to have the same opportunities as boys, but I honestly believe that boys have some how been forgotten. Gareth Southgate's message about male role models and the need for boys to engage in tangible things - rather than screen through phones, on line porn etc is so important.

I was also going to bring up Southgate's recent speech on that Dimbleby thing, as it feels very much like it ties in.

 

[lost in london]

Incredible TV. I assumed the one shot wasn't really a one shot and some trickery was involved. Turns out each episode was genuinely done in a single take.

 

[Is it PotG?]

Almost as good as The Virtues

The Virtues finale review – a drama so emotional it left you gasping for air

Difficult truths were delivered in the conclusion of Shane Meadows’s tale of repressed trauma, with a final 20 minutes that will stand as one of the most intense passages in TV history

www.theguardian.com

The one take thing worked well in Victoria and that Norwegian serial killer one. All good fun.
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/victoria_2015

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Binged all 4 episodes last night. Might as well give out the BAFTAs now. Acting. Writing. Camera work.

Superb all-round.

I needed a 24 hour break after the end of Episode 1. Absolutely had me in shock

 

[SAC]

Exceptional but very difficult viewing.

 

[DJ NOBO]

The writing is very good, the acting is very good.
The fact that each episode is shot in one continuous take makes it groundbreaking.
The execution of the production was so impressive I actually found it distracting to the story.
Unbelievably impressive.