Netflix’s 'Adolescence' Explores Knife Crime and Online Radicalization in a Bold One-Take Format

The four-part series, co-created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, examines the troubling influences on young boys in the digital age.

Adolescence is a Netflix crime drama centered on a 13-year-old boy arrested for the murder of a female classmate, exploring themes of bullying, misogyny, and online radicalization.
The series is composed of four hour-long episodes, each filmed in a single continuous take, creating an immersive and tense viewing experience.
Co-creators Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne were inspired by real-life incidents of knife crime in the UK and the rising influence of misogynist online figures on young boys.
The show avoids easy explanations for the central crime, instead presenting a complex portrait of societal, familial, and digital influences on adolescence.
Owen Cooper delivers a standout performance as Jamie Miller, marking his screen debut in a series that has been praised for its technical innovation and emotional depth.