"“A solid Netflix Crime Mini-Series”"
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What You Need To Know:
The first episode of ADOLESCENCE is a masterpiece of total immersion. The acting is phenomenal, the directing is top-notch, and the “gritty” atmosphere feels authentic. Moreover, its use of hour-long, single-take episodes is genuinely impressive. In terms of worldview, ADOLESCENCE harbors humanistic and politically correct themes. The show also contains a strong father figure and a lawyer fighting for his clients. However, the show features profanity, some realistic violence, and a negative portrayal of the British police. MOVIEGUIDE® issues heavy caution for mature viewers.
Content:
(C, B, PCPC, LL, VV, S, N, MM): Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements: A humanistic worldview with politically correct undertones, a shy teenage boy is accused of murdering his female classmate via stabbing her, the boy has a strong father who cares for him during the interrogation, the father tries to defend his son and heavily criticized the police justice system, the same father has a strong relationship with his wife and daughter, the police inspectors are shown to be needlessly cruel and nosy, the police officers invade the boy’s private space and his mental well-being, and the police characters assume the worst “outcomes” from the boy; Foul Language: At least 10 uses of the “F” word;
More Detail:
ADOLESCENCE is a British murder mystery mini-series streaming on Netflix. After getting accused of murdering his classmate, thirteen-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) is sentenced to questioning by the police. Jamie’s family fights to prove their son’s innocence. Meanwhile, investigator Bascombe (Ashley Walters) discovers this incident is not what it seems. Will justice prevail?
In the pilot episode, simply titled “Episode One,” Detective Bascombe and the British police raid the house of Jamie Miller. The police accuse the shy boy of the charge of murder. Jamie denies the act, but the police take him in for questioning. Throughout the episode, the narrative swaps perspectives between Jamie, his nervous father, and the police detectives. Jamie passes the blood and “mental wellness” inspections but soon faces his first real investigation.
The first episode of Season 1 of ADOLESCENCE begins with a bang. The acting, editing, and general writing are incredible. The performances are top-notch, especially Owen Cooper’s portrayal of the 13-year-old lead. The dialogue is conversational and intense but feels believable in a grounded setting. The show is fictitious, but it feels like an “authentic” crime story one could experience in the real world. The show’s technical ambition helps this “grounded” atmosphere.
The most significant selling point of ADOLESCENCE is its “one-shot” cinematography. In essence, each episode presents as one continuous take rather than dozens of scenes stitched together, as seen in most other TV series. The show uses a “handheld” camera that moves with the various characters in an elaborate police station set. This commitment to “immersion” is commendable and is easily the show’s highlight. We can’t say the same about its moral content.
In terms of worldview, ADOLESCENCE harbors humanistic and politically correct themes. The main suspect has a strong father figure who closely supports him. The father pleads his boy’s innocence and vows to protect him during the interrogation. The main detective wants to solve the murder mystery but is incredibly blunt with the teenage suspect. Throughout the first episode, the British police are oppressive and use intrusive force (this is considered “politically correct” at Netflix). They rush the boy to his cell, ask him questions inappropriate for a teenage boy, and treat his father with disrespect. But it gets much worse.
ADOLESCENCE has moderate profanity, some realistic violence, and indefensible police behavior. The police officers yell “f–k” at least ten times. The British equivalent of SWAT raids a home and orders the family to stand down. In one scene, the officers do a full pat down on the teen suspect. There is no on-screen nudity, but the police order the teen to strip naked and mention checking his “private parts.” Lastly, the police show evidence of the boy stabbing a teenage girl at night. This show is not for the faint of heart.
The first episode of ADOLESCENCE is a masterpiece of total immersion. The acting is phenomenal, the directing is top-notch, and the “gritty” atmosphere feels authentic. Moreover, its use of hour-long, single-take episodes is genuinely impressive. The show also contains a strong father figure and a lawyer fighting for his clients. However, the show features profanity, some realistic violence, and a negative portrayal of the British police. MOVIEGUIDE ® issues heavy caution for mature viewers.
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