Adolescence Review: Stephen Graham shines in this masterful, gripping drama on radicalization and online influence

Netflix tv series Adolescence is directed by Philip Barantini

It’s tough to hit pause or take your eyes off the screen while watching episodes of ‘Adolescence,’ the hard-hitting four-part limited series from co-writers Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne. Applauded for his range as an actor, Graham, along with Thorne and director Philip Barantini, delivers an astounding drama that explores the immeasurable impact toxic online influences can have on a young mind.

The series opens with British police kicking down the doors of a family home early in the morning to arrest their 14-year-old son, Jamie (Owen Cooper), for murder. The nightmarish experience immerses the viewer in police procedural detail, the devastating impact on Jamie’s family and his helpless father, Eddie (Stephen Graham), and the harrowing experience of a police interview.

The second episode captures the aftermath of a school student’s murder, bringing to life the chaos of managing a school filled with kids and teenagers equipped with mobile phones and a natural rejection of authority.

The third episode is both harrowing and astoundingly gripping as it depicts a session between Jamie and child psychologist Briony (Erin Doherty). Briony’s gentle nudges and direct pushes offer a frightening insight into the workings of a young mind that can be influenced and manipulated into believing shocking mistruths about women, relationships, love, and life. While Doherty delivers her signature subtly intense performance, Owen Cooper is astonishingly good, especially considering his lack of prior acting experience. Themes like the Incel movement, misogyny, radicalization, and misinformation run throughout this gripping conversation.

The final episode is emotional and serves as a subtle warning to all parents about the importance of teaching children to look beyond the Internet’s word.

The technical mastery of its visual narrative is a major win for this series, as each episode is done in a single take, demanding intense performances from its actors and a flawless, taut script. Each performance, like the setting of the series, is naturalistic, while the focus firmly stays on elements that move the story forward. However, this style leaves little room to explore the reactions and responses of characters beyond those in focus. For instance, we don’t get to know much about the victim or her friend, who appears in an episode.

The series is relentless in its approach to the crime and its consequences, adding to the shock value of its most crucial incident. While it touches on issues like shifting school environments in the era of social media and mobile phones, it does not explore their impact in detail. The decision to film in single takes ensures the intensity of the story remains undiluted—highlighting how radicalization and violent thinking can take root in a young mind in an age of information overload.

Its camerawork and narrative style present the incident in a real-time setup, with different points of view playing out, without necessarily asking the viewer to pick a side. Graham, Doherty, Cooper, and Walters deliver outstanding performances, bringing authenticity to the story. The series blends binge-worthy drama with a pertinent social issue—the mobile phone as a tool for spreading misinformation.

Without making it obvious from the start, ‘Adolescence’ highlights the lasting effects of distorted masculinity. These conversations seep into the discourses that young boys engage in at multiple levels—whether at school or online. The series also explores the distortion of women's roles and feminine desire, set against a backdrop where access to all kinds of information is just a voice search away. While it does not take a deep dive, it effectively delivers a significant cautionary message.

‘Adolescence’ is both relevant and compelling storytelling that remains binge-worthy. Its producers include Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment, along with Graham and Thorne, marking a creative collaboration that extends beyond commercial interests. With its universal core message, this is a series worth watching.

Cast: Stephan Graham, Owen Cooper, Erin Doherty, and Ashley Walters

Director: Philip Barantini

Rating: 4/5

('Adolescence' is streaming on Netflix)