Debuting in Netflix’s Top 10 in the UK within its first week, reaching No. 1 on April 15, 2025, and attracting over 6 million viewers in just ten days, the show “Adolescence” presents a more honest and dark perspective on the complex understanding of emotions. Every second of this four-part drama unfolds in real time, with each episode filmed as a single continuous shot. No cuts. Just one scene of action. The result? A realistic story that blew my mind the first time I watched it.
Created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, the story focuses on 13-year-old Jamie Miller, played by Owen Cooper, who delivers an amazing performance, bringing to life one of the most hauntingly real characters. From his empty stares to explosive moments of anger and guilt, every beat of emotion feels as if he were the real Jamie Miller. His silences conveyed more than any line of dialogue. I also really appreciated how the show didn’t try to make him a hero or a villain. He felt like a real kid caught in a terrifying situation, trying to navigate through it.
Another actor who had been my favorite in the show was Stephen Graham, who played Jamie’s father and delivered a raw and emotional performance. You could see him unraveling right alongside his son, and some of his quietest moments hit the hardest. Erin Dohert, as the psychologist in the show, also stood out. Her calm, steady energy balanced all the chaos, especially in episode 3, which might be the best episode of the series.
What drew me in was the filming style. At first, I thought it was just a gimmick, but it worked so well. It created a feeling of claustrophobia, as if you were trapped inside Jamie’s world with no way out. Sometimes it was overwhelming, and honestly, that’s what made it so powerful. You could feel the tension all the time. However, there were moments when it dragged a bit. Some scenes felt like they needed a break, even just a shift in camera angle, because the pacing slowed down a bit too much.
Still, “Adolescence” isn’t perfect. Its slow pacing and uncomfortable realism might not be for everyone. At times, it felt almost too real, leading me to pause and take a breath. But that’s also what made it an unforgettable show. It’s not the kind of show you binge and forget the next day. It sticks with you, and that’s exactly why you should watch it.