Adolescence, a new Netflix series, tells the tragic story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is accused of stabbing his classmate Katie to death. The show, which was filmed in one continuous shot, explores themes such as social media’s impact on teenagers and the dangers of incel culture.
The series follows Jamie as he navigates the criminal justice system with the help of Detective Inspector Bascombe, played by Ashley Walters. As they investigate the motive behind Jamie’s actions, they also examine the online interactions between Jamie and Katie, which reveal a history of cyberbullying and rejection.
The show sheds light on the incel community, a misogynistic group that preys on young men who feel rejected or unattractive. The series highlights how social media can amplify these feelings, making it easier for young people to access hate speech and extremist ideologies.
Creator Philip Barantini hopes that Adolescence will make viewers more sympathetic to what young people are going through today, saying that social media makes it impossible to resolve problems in the playground.
The one-shot approach used in filming adds to the show’s dramatic effect, making the viewer feel like they’re experiencing the chaos alongside Jamie and his family. The series’ impact is evident in how it brings actors together, with Owen Cooper, who played Jamie, saying that the one-shot approach made him feel closer to his co-stars.
The final episode focuses on Jamie’s parents, Eddie and Christine, as they grapple with what they could have done differently to prevent the tragedy. The series ends with a poignant moment of tearful conversation between the parents, leaving viewers to ponder the consequences of social media on our youth.
Source: https://time.com/7267884/adolescence-netflix-explained