‘Adolescence’ on Netflix: Did Jamie Kill Katie?

Note: This story contains spoilers from “Adolescence” on Netflix.

There’s a lot about “Adolescence,” Netflix’s new limited series, that is designed to shock viewers. But perhaps the most surprising detail of the whole show is its complete absence of a big twist.

Jack Thorne, Stephen Graham and director Philip Barantini’s series bucks the trend of typical crime thrillers, abandoning the idea that these stories have to be told through mysteries. “Adolescence” doesn’t care about the “who” or “how” of its central murder. It cares about the “why,” as well as the repercussions the crime has on Jamie’s (Owen Cooper) family and friends. It’s the series’ lack of clear answers around that question that makes it so very haunting.

Did Jamie kill the girl in “Adolescence”?

There’s not a big twist in this particular Netflix crime drama. Yes, Jamie did kill his classmate Katie Leonard (Emilia Holliday). He even admits to the crime.

That particular spoiler is revealed in the first episode of the Netflix limited series. The first hourlong installment follows Jamie and his family after Jamie is arrested on suspicion of murdering his classmate. Throughout most of the episode, whether or not Jamie did it is a mystery. Though Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe (Ashley Walters) is confident that Jamie is guilty, the 13-year-old boy insists he’s innocent. Jamie’s father Eddie (Stephen Graham) confidently stands by his son until the authorities show him footage of Katie’s death.

After Bascombe confirms that Jamie has the same Nike Air Max the killer wore, Bascombe shows both Jamie and Eddie CCTV footage of Katie’s murder. As Eddie watches the horrifying footage, his eyes dart between the laptop screen and his sobbing son.

Once they’re both left alone, Eddie breaks down crying and asks his son, “What have you done?” Eddie then hugs Jamie, who repeats, “It wasn’t me.”

The CCTV footage isn’t the only piece of evidence that seemingly confirms Jamie’s guilt. In Episode 2, Jamie’s friend Ryan (Kaine Davis) admits that he gave his friend the murder weapon.

But the person who confirms Jamie’s guilt is the boy himself. Towards the end of Episode 4, Jamie tells his dad that he’s going to change his plea to guilty. Eddie is left dumbfounded by the news, and the series ends with Eddie and his wife Manda (Christine Tremarco) holding each other as they cry on their bed.

Of course, it’s impossible to know exactly what events led to Katie’s murder. From its camerawork to the show’s choice to always focus on storylines that are one step removed from the central drama, “Adolescence” is never a show that spells out its story too clearly. But given the overwhelming amount of evidence against him, Jamie’s reaction and the fact that the series never presents an alternative version of Katie’s murder, it’s safe to assume to assume Jamie truly was guilty.

In this way, “Adolescence” isn’t a whodunit. It’s more of a “why did they do it” that offers no clear answers.

“Adolescence” is now streaming on Netflix.

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