Adolescence Review: We already have the yearâs best show

Films and TV shows have taken a stab at understanding the modern adolescent experience as teenagers navigate their lives along with life online. But none dared to cut as deep as Netflix's Adolescence. In the British drama written and created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, 13-year-old Jamie Miller (an impressive Owen Cooper) is accused of a gruesome crime. The scrawny-looking boy allegedly stabbed and killed a female classmate. His parents - father Eddie (Graham), a gruff plumber and homemaker mother Manda (Christine Tremarco) are beyond shocked to see the police make an aggressive entry into their home, breaking down the front door. His older sister, Lisa (Amelie Pease), is in tears upstairs and Jamie who was in bed during the arrest has understandably wet his pants when held at gunpoint. Going by the opening of the first episode, it all seems extreme. Do we need a SWAT team to nab a child who would go on to spend the entire van ride to the precinct in tears, begging to see his father? Detective Inspector Bascombe (Ashley Walters) and Detective Sargent Misha Frank (Faye Marsay) seem confident it is all well within standard practices, their faces betray the judgement they try to conceal. Did Jamie do what he’s accused of? While the show starts out as a regular procedural drama, through the course of four nail-biting episodes, it unravels a lot more.

At its core, Adolescence isn’t concerned with crime-solving. The case in question is pretty much open-and-shut with a major chunk of evidence unveiled in the first half of the pilot. The show taps into more complex problems like misogyny, toxic masculinity, how little parents know about the digital lives their kids lead and how society continues to fail kids, particularly, young girls. These crucial conversations play out in the most interesting and non-preachy ways. While the first episode walks us through the arrest, the next takes us into Jamie’s school. Told entirely through DI Bascombe (if you can look past his broad shoulders and massive biceps) and DS Frank’s perspective, the crowded hallways, lawless cafeterias and noisy classrooms paint a picture of disconnect. The adults can barely get the kids to listen and the kids hold a deep-seething rage for the system that doesn’t understand their angst. The third episode also spotlights the most fascinating conversations between a psychologist (Erin Doherty) and Jamie. Cooper unleashes his acting prowess as he oscillates between trying to charm her and lashing out with the most toxic responses to her straightforward questions. It’s hard to tell he’s a total newcomer. The young actor gives these scenes his all in a single take with the finesse of a seasoned thespian. Tremarco and Graham showcase their acting chops and they’re just as difficult to look away from. The ensemble with every perfectly cast member, clearly understood the assignment.

Each episode of Adolescence is a one-take with the camera largely lingering on characters having conversations, a stunning technical feat executed through great difficulties, no doubt. But it’s not just a gimmick. Director Philip Barantini infuses palpable tension and frantic chaos in expertly choreographed sequences. We feel the heat Jamie is under, his family’s confusion and the suspense that hangs in the air during each exchange. It’s what keeps you hooked from start to finish. We’ve seen shows employ this device like Barantini’s own Boiling Point and episodes of The Bear. It is what fans describe as stressful TV viewing. Adolescence pulls off something similar. However, the narrative’s genius lies in the fact that it doesn’t necessarily need special camera work to shine. It’s just the cherry on top.

The build-up to the final episode is executed to perfection, with the simplest of premises - the family sans Jamie, get together for Eddie’s 50th birthday only to find their van vandalised by neighbourhood kids. As the Millers try to retain some sense of normalcy, the cracks begin to show. All in all, the series lays bare the fabric of a broken society where all are party to a shocking crime. Everything you’ve heard about the show is true. Adolescence is essential viewing for Gen Z, Gen Alpha and their parents.

See Also: Alia Bhatt calls Adolescence a cinematic masterpiece

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