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Netflix’s Adolescence is generating significant buzz, earning accolades from critics and viewers alike for its gripping portrayal of a teenage girl’s murder and its aftermath. The four-part British drama quickly climbed to the top of Netflix’s global charts following its release last week.
Critics have been effusive in their praise. The Times’ Tom Peck deemed it “complete perfection,” a sentiment echoed by The Guardian’s Lucy Mangan, who called it “the closest thing to TV perfection in decades.” From director Paul Feig, who hailed the first episode as “one of the best hours of television I’ve ever seen,” to Jeremy Clarkson’s declaration of it as “masterful,” praise has poured in from all corners of social media.
The series centers on 13-year-old Jamie, played by newcomer Owen Cooper, who is arrested for the murder of a classmate. Stephen Graham stars as Jamie’s father.
Adolescence delves into the complexities of the case, exploring the influence of social media and misogynistic online figures on young boys. Co-creator Stephen Graham revealed he was inspired to create the series after reading multiple news reports about boys stabbing girls to death, expressing a desire to understand and shed light on this disturbing trend.
Writer Jack Thorne added that the series aims to confront “male rage” and the impact of online influencers like Andrew Tate.
Erin Doherty, who plays a child psychologist in the series, emphasized the importance of the conversations sparked by the show. “This show has the bravery to peel back the layers,” she stated, highlighting its relevance to ongoing societal issues.
The series’ unique single-take filming style has also garnered attention. Lucy Mangan commended the technical achievement, praising the “award-worthy performances” and “intensely naturalistic and hugely evocative” script.
Anita Singh of The Telegraph described Adolescence as “a devastating watch,” noting the “phenomenal” acting, particularly Cooper’s “astonishing” portrayal of a troubled teen. Other critics, including Jake Kanter of Deadline and Alan Sepinwall of Rolling Stone, have also lauded the series, with Sepinwall calling it an early contender for the best television of the year.
The critical consensus points to Adolescence as a powerful and thought-provoking drama that deserves attention.