Recently, several people have encouraged me to watch Adolescence, a four-episode British series on Netflix. They told me that after watching it, they felt disturbed and couldn’t stop thinking about it. I was asked to watch the series and get back to them with my thoughts. If you haven’t seen it yet, you might want to check it out.
The show isn’t scary in the typical sense of a gory, horror film. Instead, it offers a deep dive into the life of a typical adolescent and their family. Without giving away spoilers, it can be a real eye-opener if you take adolescence for granted and don’t really know what your teenagers are up to and who they’re spending time with.
For me, the show was a stark reminder of how secretive adolescents can be and the immense peer pressure they face. How many of us truly understand the meanings behind their symbolic emojis and guarded language? Their online behavior can be incredibly hurtful, and it’s often designed to be hidden from family members. The level of disrespect shown in school interactions was also uncomfortably real.
Adolescence doesn’t just focus on the teen’s life—it also explores the impact on the rest of the family and how they try to cope. It exposes the dynamics within families, forcing us to reflect on our own. Are we like the family on-screen, or are our dynamics different in some way?
One unique aspect of this show is that each episode is filmed in a single take after being rehearsed many times. The camera follows the actors very closely, giving the viewer a sense of being right there in the middle of it all. It feels incredibly real, almost as if you’re part of the family and experiencing everything they are.
The show is expertly done, and I have to say that while I wasn’t necessarily shocked or disturbed, having worked with teenagers and families throughout my career, I did feel a profound sadness for everyone involved. It’s a heartbreaking portrayal of the struggles families face during this challenging period in life.
Adolescence is definitely a series worth watching, but be warned—it may leave you feeling shaken and uncomfortable. Let me know your thoughts after you’ve watched it.
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