Adolescence

I'm surprised by all the high ratings Adolescence is getting. Don't get me wrong-it's a well-directed and beautifully shot series, and the acting is strong across the board. But in terms of plot and character development, it falls short.

The series is structured into four episodes, each from a different point of view: the police, the school, the psychiatrist, and the family. It's a clever narrative device, but we never truly get to see Jamie's point of view. For a story built around his actions, that's a major absence. We're left watching others try to explain him instead of hearing from him directly.

There are hints at trauma, neglect, and bullying, but nothing is explored in enough depth to justify what happens. His parents come off more as out-of-touch than harmful. The bullying is there, but not portrayed as relentless. Online comments and peer pressure seem to trigger Jamie's violent outburst, but it feels sudden and underdeveloped.

Then there's the subplot with the father being harassed, which also felt unclear and undeserved. Was it a misunderstanding? Was the town just lashing out? The series never explains.

I did appreciate the structure and artistic ambition, and I actually think it could've been brilliant-if there was a fifth episode from Jamie's perspective. That could've tied the story together and helped the audience understand what was going on inside his mind, even if we didn't agree with it.

As it stands, Adolescence is good, even thought-provoking-but not the masterpiece some make it out to be. It delivers atmosphere and emotion through style, but not always through substance.

It's a hard watch, absolutely haunting. One episode in and I'm already struggling. Acting is Oscar worthy. You find yourself torn between compassion for the accused, and the desire for justice. Being British and living in Texas I'm very proud of this production, genuine art in motion.

Some have said this is boring, and as a hater of boring, I can tell you, it's not boring. Every scene carries trauma, emotion, desperation, confusion and love. It's a hodgepodge of horror and hope.

This is not my normal fair, but I found myself transfixed throughout. It doesn't matter if you're an action fan, horror, sci fi, thriller or drama, this show will have you on the edge.

What an amazing performance from a newcomer. Single, continuous shots, and he hold his own for 50+ minutes an episode. Owen Cooper is a prodigy.

Owen Cooper is the breakout star of Netflix's "Adolescence," a gripping drama featuring Stephen Graham. This 15-year-old from Manchester makes his on-screen debut as Jamie Miller, a young boy accused of a shocking crime. His performance is drawing considerable attention, with many predicting a bright future for the young actor. The series delves into the intense turmoil faced by Jamie and his family, and Cooper's portrayal captures the complexities of a teenager caught in a harrowing situation. He has gone from a normal school boy, to the lead in a high profile netflix drama.

Did we love him enough, or love him wrong?

Were we too strict, or not strong?

Did we push him too far, expect too much?

Or did we not push him enough?

Did he hide his pain behind a smile?

Were we blind to it all the while?

Did we listen, or just assume?

Did he feel safe in his own room?

Was it the school, the friends he had?

Was it us, were we just bad?

Did we fail him, let him down?

Did he drown while we weren't around?

Was it the screens, the world online?

Did it tell him, "You're not fine"?

Did words on a phone cut too deep?

Did they steal his right to weep?

Could we have stopped it, if we knew?

If we had held him, pulled him through?

If we had said, "We're here, just talk," Would he have stayed, taken one more walk?

Who do we blame? The world? Ourselves?

Do we lock the past on dusty shelves?

Or do we ask, do we learn, So no more Jamies fail to return?

"Adolescence" is a wound so real, A story that makes you stop and feel.

A parent's grief, a lesson told, A tale too heavy to let go cold.

I don't normally write a review but I decided to write this because EVERYONE should watch Adolescence. It is a rollercoaster of a show. Every episode takes you down a different rabbit hole. The writing is impeccable. The characters are perfectly executed by the actors. Episode one was heartbreaking, episode two had me holding my breath as I watched it, episode three was shocking and unexpected and episode four was heartbreaking all over again. I am most certainly going to sit and watch this again as I feel that there is such complexity and depth that I will see even more next time round. Congrats to everyone involved in this project- it is flawless!