Netflix’s latest series, Adolescence, pulls viewers into a harrowing story of murder and masculinity. Filmed in a single continuous shot, the show follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller as he is accused of stabbing his classmate, Katie. The entire story unfolds over 13 months and concludes with Jamie making an unexpected confession to his father.
In the final episode, Jamie confesses to killing Katie due to a combination of factors including lack of self-esteem, perceived bullying at school, and access to online incel propaganda. This toxic influence pushed him over the edge after Katie publicly called him an incel on Instagram. The show tackles masculinity, attraction, and social media’s role in shaping young men’s behavior.
The series doesn’t shy away from exploring male rage, but instead of blaming the parents, it examines other factors that could influence Jamie’s behavior. As a result, the Miller family struggles to navigate life after Jamie is charged with murder, leading to heart-wrenching conversations about regret and trauma.
Ultimately, the show concludes in a poignant moment where Eddie, Jamie’s father, apologizes to his son’s teddy bear for not doing better. The writers intended this ending, saying they wanted the journey to finish where it began. Adolescence is now streaming on Netflix, providing an unflinching look at the darker side of adolescence and the complexities of male identity.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicamercuri/2025/03/17/netflixs-adolescence-ending-explained-why-did-jamie-kill-katie