Exploring the Top-Ranked Series on Netflix
Stephen Graham’s gripping crime drama “Adolescence” brings to life every parent’s worst fear, centering on a 13-year-old boy named Jamie Miller (Owen Miller) who finds himself accused of murdering a peer.
Not only did Graham create the series, but he also takes on the role of Eddie Miller, Jamie’s father. The supporting cast features Ashley Walters (“Top Boy”), Erin Doherty (“The Crown”), and Faye Marsay (“Game of Thrones”).
Since its premiere on March 13, “Adolescence” has quickly become the top English-language show on Netflix in the U.S., at the time of this article’s publication.
The show captivates audiences as the mystery unfolds through a single continuous shot, allowing characters to navigate the truth of the events in real-time. Deeper themes emerge regarding toxic masculinity and the necessity of teaching boys to depend on their communities rather than isolating themselves.
Graham expressed, “One of our aims was to ask, ‘What is happening to our young men these days, and what are the pressures they face from their peers, from the internet, and from social media?’ ” in an interview with Netflix’s press site Tudum. “The pressures arising from those influences are just as challenging for kids here as they are worldwide.”
What do critics think of ‘Adolescence’?
The series boasts a perfect 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Rolling Stone’s Alan Sepinwall termed the series “an early contender for the best thing … you will see on the small screen this year.”
According to J. Kelly Nestruck of the Globe & Mail, the show is a strong follow-up to Netflix’s best series since “Baby Reindeer,” which released last April.
Many critics shared how emotionally impactful they found the series and anticipate its influence on viewers.
“Adolescence is likely to haunt you for quite some time,” remarked Matt Roush from TV Insider, giving it a perfect 5 out of 5 score.
The Times‘ Tom Peck described the show as “complete perfection,” stating, “I don’t think I broke my gaze from the TV for so much as a second. I may not even have blinked.”
Critics noted the show’s relevance to contemporary issues.
Amber Dowling commented for The Wrap, “This is a show that focuses on what the title promises: adolescence, and the unforeseen dark turns it can take—especially for boys,” labeling it “an addictive but impossibly hard watch.”
Television critic Robert Lloyd from the Los Angeles Times remarked, “It’s predominantly about family and self-reflection, especially regarding the dynamics between fathers and sons. Although the series may not conclude traditionally, it achieves a novelistic power in the end.”
Daniel Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter mentioned that the series transcends a typical thriller; it serves as a meditation on the distinct challenges of masculinity today, noting, “The mystery of what Jamie did or didn’t do is important but secondary to deeper questions about masculinity—whether toxic or fragile—in a world rife with bullying, revenge porn, and problematic virtual role models like Andrew Tate. The horror of murder is slightly eclipsed by the broader nightmare of adolescence.”
Other industry figures have also shared their thoughts. Director Paul Feig expressed his admiration in a tweet.
“The first episode of the @netflix show Adolescence is one of the best hours of television I’ve encountered. An emotional and technological masterwork, the show operates on all levels. I’m eager to see the remaining episodes. Huge congratulations to everyone involved,” he tweeted.
Where can you watch ‘Adolescence’?
The four-episode series is currently available for streaming on Netflix, with each episode approximately one hour long.
