There’s something about the right moment that isn’t talked about enough. Like, a particular dish coming out, or a particular song, and it becomes a trend, and you don’t try any of it, yet, but when you do, it feels like the most perfect time to have tried it.
Now, in this case, it’s a movie, and since about March, I heard about this movie, especially with all the claims that it’s a masterpiece. I have a long list of blockbusters that came out this year, which I haven’t seen, and promised to see, but I’ve not been able to get around to seeing any of them. Till Adolescence.
Adolescence (2025)
This mini series written by Englishmen Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, and directed by Philip Barintini, tells the story of 13 year old, Jamie Miller, a student who is arrested on charges of murder. The four episodes do not necessarily dwell on the detective side of things, since that isn’t the main aim of the story, but it analyzes the reasons and thought process behind the actions committed by teenagers in modern society.
Thoughts and Rating
This series was jarring, from the first episode, all the way to the last. It began with a bang, and like none I’ve ever seen, sustained the intensity all the way till the end. I felt every emotion deeply, and for the life of me, I didn’t think I’d bawl this hard in any movie this year.
From the cinematic point of view, this series is a banger. It delivers from a one-shot perspective, which means that there are no cuts or edits, and each episode just runs from beginning to the end without interruption. I didn’t know how they managed that, but they did, and it was exceptional. It was particularly scintillating in the first episode with how it cut through the different casts and scenes in a way that showcased true cinematic mastery.
I guess I may not feel as much as a parent of teenagers watching this did, because this series is a punch to the gut by all means, and emotionally jarring, as well. But I did feel deeply about just how gruesome the effect of social media is on the impressionable minds of young teenagers. I never knew about the concept of ‘incel.’ I never knew so many things. But this movie opened doors to my mind, and I hope its teachings stay with me till I have kids of my own.
This may not be worthy of note, but I particular loved the accents. It crystallized the entire movie experience for me. I kept thinking to myself, surely they’re not always this polite, even with cussing. Surely an accent couldn’t be this beautiful that you feel each line this excruciatingly. I loved every moment.
I just realized that I didn’t talk about the acting. The cast that played Jamie Miller and Eddie Miller outdid themselves. Such finesse in role interpretation! Such beyond realistic delivery! It’s such a let down when you realize that you’re watching a movie because the actors are revealing that through subpar acting, but you see when actors embody their roles so superbly that you feel every emotion to your soul because of the depth of acting? It’s sublime. If I saw them—the cast, that is— I’d give a deep bow. They deserve their flowers. Every one of them.
This series is complex beyond words, and I realize now that there’s no way I can tell the way I felt with mere words. Each episode was a message. From the arrest to the school visit, to the episode with the psychologist, and finally, with Jamie’s family. I got the message loud and clear. I cried hard, but my goodness, I got the message. If the world were any fair, this series and its actors would get all the awards possible. For the life of me, this is the least of what they deserve for a movie like this.
I’m beyond humbled to have been a part of this movie by way of simply spectating, and I’m glad Netflix still has it in them to showcase true masterpiece. From the harrows and complexities of teenagehood to the saddening realization that a parent may not ever truly know their own child. If you’ve not seen Adolescence, please do. I can, with all boldness, say that it is the best thing since sliced bread. Maybe I would have liked to seen the true end with Jamie, but I wouldn’t change a thing, regardless. 10/10 across boards!
Jhymi🖤
Images from IMDB.
Posted using CineTV