Netflix Hit Crime Thriller Adolescence

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Netflix’s hit crime thriller “Adolescence” topped the streaming service’s most-watched list in 71 countries worldwide.

“Adolescence” is a 2025 British crime TV miniseries from Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, directed by Philip Barantini.

A family’s world is decimated when their 13-year-old son is arrested for murdering a female classmate.

The show premiered on Netflix on March 13. It’s already a runaway hit, reaching 24.3 million views in its first four days of availability, making it the streamer’s top show for the week of March 10-16.

The four-part series Adolescence with Stephen Graham is a must-see. The acting is superb, and director Philip Barantini’s continuous shot method gives a new slant to the show’s filming. The show is presented in real time, with each episode consisting of a single continuous shot.

It centers around a 13-year-old schoolboy, Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), who is arrested for the murder of a classmate. The series opens with the police knocking down the door of the Miller home in Northern England.

It is worth noting that this is Owen Cooper’s first acting credit. And he was fantastic in his role as the accused teenage boy in “Adolescence.”

Premise:

Jamie is accused of killing classmate Katie Leonard. He is taken to the police station and seen being photographed, fingerprinted, and his clothing taken. It is almost surreal seeing a boy this young being booked into custody by police.

Jamie keeps proclaiming that he is innocent, and his father, Eddie (Stephen Graham), insists that his son is telling the truth. Who can believe that their barely teenage boy is capable of murder?

Indeed, they think, it must be a mistake. They must have the wrong boy, and the parents keep telling one another as they wait to see what evolves.

About Actor Stephen Graham:

Stephen Graham is a very talented actor. He and his wife, actress and producer Hannah Walters, have been married since June 6, 2008, and have two children.

During a Bafta Sessions panel in 2019, he explained:⁠ “I’m dyslexic, so I struggle. My missus actually reads the script and says whether or not I’m doing it. She’s made some good choices.”

He has a long history with Christine Tremarco, who plays his wife and Jamie’s mother. They have known each other since they were teenagers, and that relationship shines through in their scenes together.

Tremarco is a British actress who, at age 15, starred as Lily in the ABC/BBC miniseries “The Leaving of Liverpool.”

The cast includes Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, Erin Doherty, Ashley Walters, Faye Marsay, Christine Tremarco, Mark Stanley, Jo Hartley, and Austin Haynes.

What Is Incel?

Incel is described as “involuntary celibate“. The term came to the forefront around the second episode of “Adolescence.”

It is associated with a primarily online subculture of people (racially diverse, but mostly white, male, and heterosexual) who define themselves as unable to find a romantic or sexual partner despite desiring one. These males may then blame, objectify, and denigrate women and girls.

The show is intense and compelling. Every parent should watch it. You think you know your child, but you can’t possibly know everything about them or their involvement online.

What The Critics Are Saying About Adolescence:

TV buffs have lauded the new Netflix crime thriller.

This Netflix original has achieved universal acclaim. Critics are hailing “Adolescence” as a technical masterpiece.

The Critics’ Consensus for the review site Rotten Tomatoes wrote that “Adolescence” is stylistically bold and beautifully acted from top to bottom. Adolescence is a masterclass in televisual storytelling and a searing viewing experience that scars.

“Adolescence is likely to haunt you for quite some time,” Matt Roush told TV Insider, giving it a 5 out of 5 rating.

Dan Einav for the Financial Times wrote: “Philip Barantini shoots with a dynamism that’s not only visually impressive but integral to making each moment feel immediate and queasily real.“

Other creators are also weighing in. Director Paul Feig tweeted: “The first episode of the @netflix show Adolescence is one of the best hours of television I’ve ever seen. An emotional and technological masterwork, the show works on all levels. I can’t wait to watch the rest of the episodes. Huge congrats to all involved,” he wrote on X.

“I can’t recommend Adolescence on Netflix enough – it’s the best crime drama you’ll watch all year,” wrote John-Anthony Disotto for TechRadar.

Christopher Stevens wrote for the Daily Mail, “I was so blown away by Stephen Graham’s thriller that I started rewatching it as soon as it finished. It’s some of the best acting I’ve ever seen.”

Why Is Brad Pitt Listed In The Credits?

Some fans of “Adolescence” shared their confusion after spotting Brad Pitt’s name on the Netflix hit’s credits. 

His production company, Plan B Entertainment, co-produced the series alongside Warp Films and Matriarch Productions.

While Pitt did not act in the show, his role as an executive producer indicates he contributed to its development and production.

The Inspiration For The Adolescence Series:

“Adolescence” draws inspiration from the United Kingdom’s knife crime epidemic, the rise of incel culture, and online bullying. It highlights the impact of crime on a whole family and the wider community.

Graham said he was inspired to make “Adolescence” after seeing two separate reports of boys stabbing girls to death.

“I just thought, what’s going on in society where this kind of thing is becoming a regular occurrence?” he told BBC’s The One Show.

“I just couldn’t fathom it. So I wanted to really have a look and try and shine a light on this particular thing.”

Jack Thorne, who wrote the miniseries along with Stephen Graham, told the BBC they wanted to “look in the eye of male rage.”

Thorne further noted: “Jamie has been polluted by ideas that he’s heard online, that make sense to him, that have a logic that’s attractive to him, that answer the questions as to his loneliness and isolation and lead him to make some very bad choices,” he said.

“We have to understand the things he’s been consuming, and that means especially looking at the Internet, the manosphere, and incel culture.”

The creators want “Adolescence” to be shown in schools and Parliament, so there is more awareness about incel culture and toxic masculinity.

Like Christopher Stevens, I plan to watch the show again. I was spellbound during the four episodes. It’s that good.

The four-episode series is now available to stream on Netflix. Each episode is about one hour long.