Reel Review: Adolescence Examines Toxic Masculinity From the Perspective of a 13-year-old

In recent years, few TV shows have been as tense and uncomfortable as this one. Netflix’s Adolescence follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller and his family as they grapple with his arrest for the alleged murder of a female classmate. 

The series starts with Jamie’s arrest, and we follow Jamie’s father as he learns about his son’s alleged crime and, like us, wonders about his guilt or innocence.

The show’s discomforting aspects are revealed as the crime’s details emerge. For me, it was hard to watch at times because the child is so young that you don’t want to believe he could be capable of doing something so awful to a classmate, but then as the video from the crime is shown, you start to see that the innocent child may not be so innocent. 

Though difficult to watch, this film offered a powerful insight into the experiences of some men during their formative years. They’re trained to suppress emotions and avoid complaints; however, learning that Jamie was being bullied for “incel” behavior evokes sympathy for a boy who allegedly committed a terrible crime.

Episode three depicts Jamie’s session with a psychologist. Initially, he lashes out at the psychologist, but he eventually composes himself and cooperates. This episode convinced me of his guilt, especially when the psychologist questioned him about the irreversible nature of taking a life and the finality of his classmate Katie’s death.

The one thing that really made me walk away from the show and say “wow” was the acting by Owen Cooper. Owen plays Jamie Miller in the series, and I was shocked the entire time watching him act because 15-year-old Cooper was the most incredible part of the show. With few acting credits to his name, he seemed like someone who had been acting for a very long time. He was so believable in his role as Jamie, and the emotion he displayed throughout the entire series blew me away.

Another actor who was incredible is Stephen Graham. Graham plays Jamie’s dad in the series and also created it. The part I loved most was at the end, when Jamie’s parents are talking in their room about how they could have created someone like Jamie. Watching Eddie’s emotional reaction to Jamie changing his plea to guilty was incredible. You could see how much it changed his opinion of his son and of himself.

The one-shot style throughout the series was the perfect choice. I think it served its purpose and created tension in every episode. It also made me feel like I was a part of the show while watching. I had so many emotions throughout the series, and I really believe the one-shot style is the reason I felt so attached to the story and the characters. Another reason this show is so gripping is that you’re introduced to the killer at the beginning. You explore his environment and psyche, coming to understand what made him choose to do what he did. I think this is a powerful message for parents of young men.

While watching this show this week, I saw the news of one boy taking another boy’s life at a track meet in Frisco, Texas. Initially, I was shocked by the ease with which a teenager could kill another in the series, but the news story I saw this week makes me believe its message is vital for many to see. 

This mini-series’ only drawback is its ambiguous ending, yet this ambiguity reflects real-life situations where conclusions are drawn from multiple perspectives and evidence. We know that Jamie did it, but I would have been interested to see what made him choose to change his plea to guilty, as well as the trial and the implications to his friends, not just his family.

In my view, Jamie’s criminal act resulted from a combination of low self-esteem and being bullied at school for incel ideology.

This show is a must-watch if you’re looking for a tense, high-stakes drama with a realistic feel.

The four-episode mini-series, Adolescence, can be found streaming on Netflix.