Adolescence on Netflix

[liubit]

I am watching Adolescence, a British crime series on Netflix about the murder of a High School girl, apparently by one of her classmates, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Good plot exploring the complexity of teenage relationships with insights on the British juvenile criminal justice system. Great acting, interesting characters. Recommended. 

Edited March 15 by liubit

[SirBillybob]

Each episode is, impressively, single-shot style. Graham and Doherty are superb. Glad I’m not a parent with adolescents and watching this. 

[d.anders]

There is an extraordinary amount of buzz about this new 4-episode drama miniseries, with Brad Pitt named among the executive producers. I watched it last night, and now I understand. It's a drama unlike anything I've seen before.

The best way to describe it is "a film in four acts." Each act is filmed in one continuous take. No edits. I simply do not know how this creation was made. The acting is spellbinding, but how was this achieved with no edits? The effort seems like a miracle to me.

The story is not fun. It does not satisfy. There are no answers. However, this is a creative effort unlike most others, with superb talent at its foundation. I don't know any of the actors, but they are all superb in this, and perfectly cast. This is other worldly.

Edited March 19 by d.anders

[+ DERRIK]

Stephen Graham, who plays the father of the child - is the only actor I recognized.  He played Al Capone in HBO Boardwalk Empire.

[d.anders]

1 hour ago, DERRIK said:

Stephen Graham

My goodness, I've seen him in many things, going way back to Guy Ritchie's Snatch. I'm surprised my brain did not recognize him. He closes the 4th episode with an award-winning scene. Absolutely devastating.

[Ali Gator]

It's been talked about everywhere around me the past few days - TV talk shows, NPR, family members, friends, coworkers - all recommended very highly. I decided to watch it - got through the first two episodes tonight, plan on watching the next two tomorrow night. Very fast paced (at times it set my heart racing - seriously!) and at times, very disturbing.  I have a feeling this (like last year's 'Baby Reindeer on Netflix) will be tough to beat at this year's Emmys in the fall. 

[samhexum]

Just watched episode one.  Quite impressive.

[MikeThomas]

We've combined the two threads.

[+ EVdude]

Watched all 4 episodes in one sitting. What a tour de force in acting. Episode three with Erin Doherty was mesmerizing. 

[samhexum]

3 hours ago, samhexum said:

Just watched episode one.  Quite impressive.

 

48 minutes ago, EVdude said:

Watched all 4 episodes in one sitting. What a tour de force in acting. Episode three with Erin Doherty was mesmerizing. 

I took a half hour break after the first episode then finished it in one sitting.

[d.anders]

1 hour ago, MikeThomas said:

We've combined the two threads.

Sorry. I think I forgot to do a search.

[mike carey]

6 minutes ago, d.anders said:

Sorry. I think I forgot to do a search.

No problems.

[+ EVdude]

On 3/14/2025 at 8:52 AM, SirBillybob said:

Glad I’m not a parent with adolescents and watching this.

For me “Glad I’m not a parent” suffices! 

[samhexum]

Indiana mom allegedly boards school bus and attacks 14-year-old...

NYPOST.COM

---

An Indianapolis mom allegedly barged onto her son’s middle school bus with her teen daughter and...

YOU GO, GIRL!

[samhexum]

AM I A BAD BOY FOR WONDERING WHAT WAS UNDER DI BASCOMB'S SHIRT?

AND EDDIE MILLER'S?

Edited March 20 by samhexum
to maintain the incredibly high standards he has established here

[Ali Gator]

I could not watch it all in one sitting. I had to do two episodes each over two nights. All I can say is, "WOW!" What a series. Absolutely fascinating to watch. Certainly, it will sweep the Emmys next year.

It kind of left the door open to a possible season 2 - and see where this goes. I hope it does.

[d.anders]

On 3/20/2025 at 4:28 PM, samhexum said:

AM I A BAD BOY FOR WONDERING WHAT WAS UNDER DI BASCOMB'S SHIRT?

Hell no. That guy's body looked amazing. Handsome, too.

[samhexum]

On 3/20/2025 at 8:02 AM, EVdude said:

Episode three with Erin Doherty was mesmerizing. 

Her "Am I boring you?" after Jamie yawned was an ad-lib.  The yawning was not part of the script.

[+ poolboy48220]

I binged all four episodes last night - I agree with everyone here praising it. I don't remember seeing anything like that before. 

[samhexum]

Adolescence Cracks Netflix’s All-Time Most Popular Shows List Just 3 Weeks In

TVLINE.COM

---

'Adolescence' isn't kidding around, quickly landing a spot on Netflix's all-time ranking of popular English TV...

 

[Rod Hagen]

The single Takes are amazing.  I'm unimpressed with the acting, except of course for the father, who is always great.

I've watched the first two episodes, and I think it moves too slowly and worst of all I can't understand almost anything they are saying.  I wish I liked it.  But I will finish it, given it's event TV. 

[Rod Hagen]

Loved the Third episode, the kid is a great actor!  One more to go.

[Rod Hagen]

Watch the unbroken takes for each episode.  Amazing.

 

[samhexum]

My feeling is that if this was just a show that was filmed in the normal way it would've been interesting and very good but nothing to make a HUGE deal about.

However, knowing how it was made made it seem so much more impressive, although in that respect, you could say it was basically just a gimmick, though one that was extraordinarily well done. 

[Rod Hagen]

10 minutes ago, samhexum said:

However, knowing how it was made made it seem so much more impressive, although in that respect, you could say it was basically just a gimmick, though one that was extraordinarily well done. 

Yes, in many ways it's a gimmick.  A truly impressive gimmick.  I think the more important thing is how ambitious it is and that it will compel others to do similar things that will eventually feel less gimmicky (I mean do we really need to watch the characters walk and drive so much? :-) )  Probably true of much innovation, you gotta be the first so there can be better.

The camera transfer from hand to Drone at the end of the second episode blew me away, and I'm so glad in the youtube video I posted above that they show how they did it.

Edited April 4 by Rod Hagen