‘Adolescence’ Review: Netflix’s Disturbing Limited Series Is Almost Impossible to Stomach

If Netflix learned anything from “Baby Reindeer,” it’s that it has an audience with an appetite for chilling stories of toxic masculinity. Case in point is the streaming service’s new four-part limited series, “Adolescence,” a master class in gut-wrenching material that’s almost impossible to stomach.

The psychological crime drama from co-creators Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne revolves around a 13-year-old boy who is accused of murdering a female classmate. It’s a basic entry point with massive implications not only for the child, but for his parents, the community and law enforcement. Viewers are equally drawn into the melee thanks to the filming approach: Each episode plays out in a single, continuous take.

The action begins with British homicide detectives Bascombe (Ashley Walters) and Frank (Faye Marsay) leading an early morning arrest in which they shock Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), his parents Eddie (Graham) and Manda (Christine Tremarco) and his elder sister Lisa (Amelie Pease). Massive tension builds as the confused family protests their son’s innocence and wonders why police are trashing the family home.

That pressure continues in full force as the remainder of the 65-minute premiere unfolds. From the ride to the station, to the uncomfortable processing procedures, to the bowl of corn flakes everyone urges Jamie to eat, the lingering question of what he did hangs over every moment. It’s a surprisingly quick hour too, in which the family arrives, a lawyer takes over the case and the police conduct the first interrogation.

The fact that the episode is able to cram so many continuous, real-time events into the hour is a testament to series director Philip Barantini and cinematographer Matthew Lewis. The rehearsing and stage-play delivery that needs to go into each moment to get it right is worth applauding. Without any cuts or scene changes the actors need to keep their energy up throughout, the cameras need to capture every nuanced moment, and the overall story must entertain. Otherwise, it’s the type of storytelling that viewers could easily switch off, shrugging it off as another gimmick.

If that overall process is impressive in Episode 1, it’s downright marvelous in Episode 2, which takes place two days later and follows the detectives interviewing kids at Jamie’s school. The number of extras and coordination that went into the sweeping installment is enough to overshadow similar, previous cinematic feats, such as the now-famous, six-minute rolling shot in the first season of “True Detective.”

Episode 2 is so ambitious at times that it detracts from the main story, despite the introduction of new characters and an impressive chase scene. But then the tone switches again in Episode 3, which picks up seven months following the arrest. In it, a child psychologist named Briony (Erin Doherty) joins Jamie for an intense, 52-minute character study that mostly takes place in one room.

The final episode unrolls 13 months following the arrest and homes in on Jamie’s family, notably his father, Eddie, as they continue to deal with the denial, fallout and conspiracy theories surrounding the murder.

Overall, “Adolescence” is an addictive but impossibly hard watch, made even more compelling by terrific acting and an intense story that raises relevant questions about society today. While the murder is the jumping off point, it isn’t the focus of the series. It’s also not Jamie or even the victim who take center stage as we dig in. Instead, this is a show that focuses on what the title promises: adolescence, and the unexpected dark turns it can take — particularly for boys.

As such, it’s the men in this story and their relationships that become the true focal point. Early on, police ask one another if Jamie’s dad is “all right,” assuming that violent acts mean a violent upbringing. It’s Eddie whom Jamie asks to be his representative following the arrest, not his mother. And it’s Jamie’s relationship with women on social media that becomes a major topic during the interrogation scenes, particularly as the teen maintains his innocence.

Meanwhile, the series also examines Bascombe’s relationship with his own son and how his work has mangled their connection. The juxtaposition of the two relationships, both with well-intentioned fathers, raises compelling questions about nature versus nurture. It also establishes the importance of a strong male role model, while questioning what that even means.

Then there’s the whole social media component, something parents have been concerned about since the advent of such spaces. As investigators learn the true meaning behind seemingly harmless emojis and the impossibility of teaching children who refuse to care about authority figures or rules, a frustrating and dark culture emerges. It becomes plausible that a good kid could get sucked into a dark world and live beyond the safety of family, no matter how stable that family is.

At its core, “Adolescence” raises the idea of a new kind of toxic masculinity, one in which boys are culturally trained and socially pressured to behave online, and how much of that training potentially cuts them off from reality and the ability to empathize or understand the difference between digital and real life.

In the end, it doesn’t necessarily matter if Jamie committed the crime or not — although you’ll certainly be able to draw your own conclusions. Instead, “Adolescence” shines light on very real and relevant issues affecting students globally, without delivering any easy answers about technology, family dynamics and belonging.

That makes it a hard watch, but also a must-watch as we continue fighting for safer communities, better mental health support and overall prevention.

“Adolescence” is now streaming on Netflix.

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