I write that this is a review of the first season of Adolescence, because apparently their is chatter of a potential second season. I have no clue if it would be a continuation of the story presented in these four episodes or if it would be totally new material, but there is a possibility for more.
Just like most things that make their way to Netflix, this four-part series was all in my face for about a week, critically praised, and then it almost just fully dropped off the radar. Luckily for me, I keep track of things that intrigue me, so I knew I was going to be watching this sooner rather than later. I was first really interested to learn that this series was co-created and co-written by one of its stars and frequent Guy Ritchie collaborator, Stephen Graham. He plays the dad of a thirteen year-old boy, Jamie, who is taken in for the murder of one of his classmates.
The series starts abruptly with Jamie’s arrest. That sequence to me felt quite jarring and perhaps over the top? I have no clue if an arrest like that would take place in the same way in real life. Maybe not in the US, but who am I to say? What we learn pretty quickly though, is that there is some really damning evidence that proves Jamie did in fact repeatedly stab his classmate to death the night before. Though a young teen, Jamie reverts to a more childlike version of himself, frightened of the events that led him to a police cell. He choses his dad as his “appropriate adult,” which as someone who is not a parent, seems like a terrifying responsibility.
It’s later that we learn that Jamie likely did this more out of his dad’s likelihood of believing what he says. I think he would have been inclined to do so, too, if he hadn’t seen the video with his own eyes. I cannot imagine what that would be like. You want to believe your kids are good, are a better version of yourself, but then unable to grasp that someone you made could do something so vile. It’s clear to me, especially in the third episode, that Jamie will be a future serial killer if given the chance. His interactions with the forensic psychologist are bone-chilling at times, especially when his mood switches on a dime.
Though the story itself might not be over original, the way in which it was presented was fairly unique. Each episode was shot in one take, following particular characters in a room. The first episode is more from the police precinct employees and Jamie, where the next is focused on the police in Jamie’s school. The most thrilling hour is spent with Jamie and a third party forensic psychologist. It’s where you really get to learn more about Jamie. And finally, we spend time with the family, who try to navigate what their future looks like and where they went wrong with Jamie. It’s heavy stuff, and very realistic.
I would have to imagine this will be part of the Emmy conversation, so I’ll be looking forward to the future of this short series.