On March 13, 2025, Netflix unveiled Adolescence, a British crime drama miniseries that has quickly become one of the year’s most talked-about releases. The series was created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, directed by Philip Barantini, and starring a powerhouse cast including Graham, newcomer Owen Cooper, and Ashley Walters. The four-episode series has captivated audiences with its raw storytelling and innovative one-shot filming technique. Yet, beneath its critical acclaim lies a swirl of controversy, as viewers and commentators grapple with its provocative themes and uncompromising approach.
A real-time tale of tragedy
Adolescence centers on 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), a boy arrested for murdering his classmate Katie Leonard in a small English town. Filmed in continuous takes across four episodes, the series unfolds in real-time, immersing viewers in the chaos that engulfs Jamie’s family, his father Eddie (Stephen Graham) and mother Manda (Christine Tremarco) and the investigators, Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe (Ashley Walters) and Detective Sergeant Misha Frank (Faye Marsay). A forensic psychologist, Briony (Erin Doherty), probes Jamie’s psyche, uncovering a troubling mix of bullying, social media pressure, and exposure to toxic online subcultures like the incel “manosphere.”
Inspired by rising knife crime among UK youth echoing cases like the murders of Ava White and Elianne Andam, Adolescence isn’t a direct adaptation of any single story but a stark reflection of societal anxieties. Graham has cited the influence of misogynistic figures like Andrew Tate as a key motivator, aiming to spotlight how vulnerable boys can be radicalized online. The series lands amid grim realities: the UN estimates nearly one in three women worldwide face violence in their lifetime, and Adolescence doesn’t shy away from this epidemic of male violence against women and girls.
Critical acclaim
Critics have showered Adolescence with praise, calling it a “technical masterpiece” and a “cautionary tale.” The one-shot format filmed in Yorkshire locations like South Kirkby and Sheffield with about 10 takes per episode lends an unrelenting intensity, amplifying the performances. Owen Cooper’s debut as Jamie has been hailed as revelatory, while Graham’s portrayal of a father unraveling under guilt and grief is a standout. Reviews from outlets like The Guardian laud its relevance, with some suggesting it be screened in schools and Parliament to spark debate about digital influence and toxic masculinity.
The controversy: Propaganda or provocation?
Yet, not everyone is on board. Adolescence has ignited fierce debate, particularly on platforms like X, where some accuse it of exaggerating its themes for dramatic effect. Critics argue the focus on incel culture and online radicalization paints an “unrealistic” picture, potentially stigmatizing boys as inherently violent rather than acknowledging most don’t commit such acts. Posts have called it “statistically dubious” and a misrepresentation of knife crime and family dynamics.
Others go further, branding it propaganda. X user @toadmeister claimed the series – partly tied to state-backed funding pushes an “anti-white” or “pro-censorship” agenda, alleging Labour MPs have seized on it to justify tighter internet controls. This critique frames Adolescence as a tool to vilify masculinity or shame young men, feeding into broader cultural wars over gender and free speech. Detractors see it as less a nuanced drama and more a didactic lecture, with its refusal to offer clear answers – why Jamie killed Katie remains murky drawing ire as either exploitative or overly ambiguous.
The one-shot technique, while a critical darling, has also been dubbed a “gimmick” by some, like Anita Singh of The Daily Telegraph, who suggest it prioritizes style over substance. For these viewers, the lack of resolution, no tidy moral or redemptive arc feels like misery porn rather than meaningful commentary.
A defense of purpose
Supporters counter that these criticisms miss the point. On X and in reviews, fans argue Adolescence is a vital wake-up call, dissecting “the epidemic of femicide” and the “brainwashing” of boys by toxic influencers. Its creators insist it’s not about blaming individuals, parents or Tate himself but exposing systemic pressures: the disconnect between generations, the allure of online hate, and a society failing its youth. The ambiguity, they say, mirrors reality, there are no easy fixes. Far from a gimmick, the one-shot style enhances this realism, pulling viewers into the unrelenting spiral of a family’s collapse.
A polarizing mirror
With near-perfect critical scores clashing against vocal online dissent, Adolescence is a lightning rod. Is it a fair portrait of a growing crisis, or an alarmist caricature that risks alienating its audience? The debate reflects the raw nerves it touches – knife crime, gender violence, and the digital age’s dark corners remain divisive, urgent issues. Whether hailed as a bold triumph or slammed as manipulative, Adolescence has undeniably struck a chord, forcing viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about the world today. For those seeking thought-provoking TV that doesn’t pull punches, it’s a must-watch and a conversation starter that won’t soon fade.