'Adolescence': The Netflix show everyone's talking about

In an era when television has largely devolved into algorithmic formulas and predictable retreads, Netflix's "Adolescence" emerges as a revelation—a work of such technical brilliance and emotional depth that it forces viewers to reconsider what the medium is capable of achieving.

Technical Marvel Meets Narrative Excellence

The series' technical achievement is immediately apparent: four hour-long episodes, each executed as an uninterrupted continuous shot. Unlike other recent single-take projects that rely on hidden cuts or digital trickery (think "1917"), "Adolescence" commits fully to its ambitious vision, creating an unrelenting immediacy that serves the story rather than overshadowing it.

What elevates "Adolescence" beyond mere technical showmanship is how seamlessly this cinematic approach integrates with its harrowing narrative. Beginning with a jarring police raid on a quiet suburban home—where 13-year-old Jamie Cooper (brilliantly portrayed by young actor Owen Cooper) is arrested for the murder of a schoolmate—the series methodically expands its perspective, examining the ripple effects of this tragedy through multiple vantage points.

Masterful Creative Collaboration

The creative team behind this achievement represents British television's finest talents. Stephen Graham, who stars as Jamie's father, co-created the series with acclaimed screenwriter Jack Thorne (known for "His Dark Materials"). Director Philip Barantini, who previously collaborated with Graham on the BAFTA-nominated single-take film "Boiling Point," demonstrates an even more refined control of his craft here.

Cinematographer Matthew Lewis deserves particular recognition for camera work that feels neither gimmicky nor self-conscious. The movement is deliberate and measured, creating a sensation of being trapped within uncomfortable moments alongside the characters. When confronting the actual violence at the story's center, the camera maintains a respectful distance—observing a computer screen playback from afar rather than exploiting tragedy for shock value.

Unflinching Social Commentary

Beyond its technical virtuosity, "Adolescence" delivers a devastating examination of contemporary issues: the challenges of parenting in the digital age, the insidious nature of toxic masculinity, and the societal failures that allow tragedy to fester undetected. Though based on composite real events, the series transcends mere dramatization to offer profound insights into modern society's blind spots.

What makes the show particularly affecting is its refusal to provide easy answers. Each episode adds layers of complexity to our understanding, forcing viewers to reconsider initial judgments about Jamie, his parents, and the community around them. The series asks difficult questions about culpability and collective responsibility without offering simplistic moral conclusions.

Performance Excellence

The actors rise magnificently to the extraordinary technical demands placed upon them. With no cuts to provide safety nets, performances must sustain emotional truth across hour-long segments—a challenge met with remarkable skill by the entire ensemble. Graham delivers some of his finest work to date, portraying a father forced to confront his own complicity in his son's actions with devastating authenticity.

Owen Cooper's portrayal of Jamie navigates treacherous emotional territory, presenting a child both sympathetic and potentially monstrous—leaving viewers constantly reassessing their feelings toward him as new information emerges.

A New Television Benchmark

"Adolescence" represents that rarest of achievements: a work that pushes the boundaries of its medium while remaining profoundly human at its core. In an entertainment landscape littered with forgettable content, it demands not just attention but genuine engagement with its difficult themes.

The series proves that television can still surprise us—that despite centuries of human creativity and decades of prestige TV, there remain unexplored possibilities for artistic expression and emotional impact.

It's not merely entertainment but an experience that lingers long after viewing, challenging audiences to examine uncomfortable truths about the world we've created and the responsibilities we bear toward one another.

Rating: ★★★★★

Walla contributed to this article.