Protagonist Jamie Miller poses in a police station with his father, Eddit Miller, and detective Luke Bascombe. The Netflix limited series follows Jamie after he has been accused of murdering his classmate, Katie, and the subsequent impact of his actions on the community and his family. (Photo Credit: Image courtesy of Netflix)

Editor’s Note: “Adolescence” is a Netflix limited series that may be inappropriate for younger audiences. The show features explicit language, physical violence and discusses teenage sexuality. The Oracle does not recommend this series for our younger readers, and Common Sense Media estimates it is appropriate for ages 15+.

Netflix’s “Adolescence” might be the most relevant release of 2025 so far. It’s uncomfortable, heartbreaking, terrifying and, at some moments, very hard to watch — but that’s the point. When telling the (fictional?) story of a 13-year-old girl’s murder, you need to feel the uncertainty and weight of the story, especially when it’s an all too frequent reality. 

The four-part British crime drama follows the arrest and subsequent events of Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), a 13-year-old boy in the United Kingdom, after he is charged with the murder of his classmate Katie Leonard (Emilia Holliday). Captured on CCTV footage, he is seen following her for a while, before cornering her in a parking lot and stabbing her to death.

The show begins at the morning of Jamie’s arrest, follows his entire interrogation, the effects of his arrest on his family and the psychological complexities of the situation. It is heavy and visceral, but not just because of its themes — all four episodes are shot in one take. 

If you’ve already watched “Adolescence,” the unique camerawork was likely one of the first things that stood out to you. It makes the audience feel like they are there in the moment, and it becomes nearly impossible to look away. Despite the ever-present discomfort and tension, audiences are forced to embrace each moment. In an interview with the Motion Picture Association, director Philip Barantini said, “[The single-take] creates a tension and forces a perspective on the audience to where they can’t look away, even if they feel anxious or awkward.” If this was in fact Baratini’s goal, it was certainly achieved. The single takes make the audience feel the true weight of the fictional story — something I find difficult in other crime dramas. 

Although the show depicts knife violence, which is far less common in the U.S., Jamie’s views of women and toxic masculinity are themes that have skyrocketed on social media and the internet. Manosphere personalities, such as Andrew Tate, have gained media attention for their beliefs, promoted via social media, that men should suppress emotion, avoid symbols of femininity, display dominance and support the patriarchy. After enduring bullying and name calling from his classmates about his sexuality, Jamie appears to turn to the online, misogynistic ‘manosphere’ communities. These online platforms and social expectations contribute to Jamie’s decision to murder Katie after she rejects his romantic advances. 

“Adolescence” is a heartbreaking depiction of what can happen when young boys are given unrestricted access to harmful and patriarchal internet media. Even though Jamie appears to come from a stable family, he still cannot be protected from the pervasive rhetoric of ‘manosphere’ influencers.

Unlike other crime stories, “Adolescence” doesn’t focus on the “who’s done it?” but rather the “why have they done it?” Unfortunately, this “why” is a growing, global concern for future generations of men.

With “Adolescence” as his debut acting role, Cooper does an incredible job toggling between portraying a young, scared boy and an aggressive, resentful young adult. Stephen Graham, who plays Jamie’s father, Eddie, delivers a compelling portrayal of a father who feels as though he has failed his child. The entire cast was nothing short of amazing. 

The pacing can be slow at times, but that’s the point. The four episodes cover a 13 month period, in which Jamie, his classmates, his family and the detectives are all grappling with the atrocity of the murder. The way the actors portray father-son relationships is beautiful at some moments and painful at others. Although the show depicts the influence of toxic masculinity on specifically young boys in the 21st century, all audiences should watch it. The well-being of future generations is the responsibility of our society as a whole. Letting young children and teenagers roam the internet freely puts them at risk for discovering and internalizing damaging information.