Episode #1.1

The film had a really excellent introduction, setting the tone perfectly with a gripping and intense opening sequence. It showcased a lot of thrilling scenes, which is exactly what I enjoy, keeping me on the edge of my seat from the start. What made it even more compelling was that it defied my expectations-I went in thinking it would follow a familiar formula, but it surprised me in the best way possible. I usually watch Harlan Coben films and read his books, so I'm used to intricate plots and suspenseful storytelling, but this introduction was on another level. The cinematography, pacing, and music all worked together seamlessly to create an atmosphere of mystery and excitement, making it clear that I was in for a rollercoaster of a story.

I turned on this episode without any particular expectations, especially since I'm not a fan of shows with such little episodes.

However, this first episode hooked me from the beginning. First and foremost, the entire episode being recorded in one shot - WOW! Thanks to this method I could feel the action better, just as if I was there.

Beside that, I loved the fact the timings in the story and in the episode timer was 1:1. What I mean is that Jamie was busted at 6:15 a.m and his questioning was finished at 7:12 a.m and it took exactly 57 minutes of the episode.

It looks like the promising show and I hope it won't be destroyed later on.

To think of creating single shot is one thing then to do it for an entire hour + 3 other episodes of approximately the runtime is insane feet. For that alone, the limited series should be praised. I don't think we realise how hard it is to make few minutes worth of single shot let alone an hour long. I see tons of hate for the series due to "poor" representation of the white people, saying that this was based on a real case of a black juvenile. Personally I see no harm in that as long as the crime isn't altered in anyway. I think the actor had done an incredible job and managed to bring us out of the racial view (if anyone had one to begin with). If I had to pin on a negative, a few bad acting was bound to happen when it comes to this type of making.

This was one of the most tense experiences i have had in a first episode of a TV show! My hands were sweaty almost the entire way through!

The way it is dhot, is an achievement of its own.. just the viewer tracking this one camera.. experiencing everything as it happens.. seeing the plot slowly unfold before your eyes, was brilliant!

On top of all that you get some acting performances thst already feel award worthy.. just based on this first episode, so that is saying something! The kid playing Jamie is one of the best teen performances i have seen in a long time! It felt so real, and watching him i forgot that I wad watching a TV show with an actor!

Do yourself a favor and check this out if you haven't already! What a surprise!

The idea for Adolescence came from actor Stephen Graham after he heard about a young schoolgirl being stabbed.

He wanted to do something to tackle knife crime among young people.

Enlisting director Philip Barantini with whom he made the one shot film Boiling Point.

The same technique is used again but this time, the one shot drama is more adventurous. In Boiling Point it was confined to one location. Here the action is set in several places but there are no invisible cuts.

The story begins with an early morning raid at a house led by DI Luke Bascombe (Ashley Walters.)

The police arrest 14 year old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper.) The rest of the family are in shock and confusion as the police break down the door.

Jamie is taken down the police station by DI Bascombe. Followed by Jamie's family led by his dad Eddie (Stephen Graham) who sits in the police station interview as the appropriate adult.

Eddie knows it is something serious but his son pleads his innocence. Whatever happened is nothing to do with him.

Jamie's duty solicitor knows that a young girl was stabbed and it is a serious charge that Jamie is facing. He advises Jamie to say 'no comment' to the questioning.

The first episode in outline is a police procedural but becomes much more as the truth emerges as to the events of what occured the night before.

Although the one shot episode is a gimmick. The lighting is too dark for example. It works well here as it gives the fly on the wall feel to the proceedings.

More importantly it allows the actors to shine. For them it might as well be a stage play. One slip up and the episode had to be recorded again from the start or wait for the next complete take later on.

Owen Cooper gives an astonishing performance in his first major role.