Adolescence: Is Brad Pitt being its executive producer the biggest irony of all?

Netflix's new limited series, Adolescence, has mesmerized viewers with its gut-wrenching depiction of teenage violence and institutional breakdowns. However, one surprising detail has caught everyone's attention—Brad Pitt serves as the show's executive producer. Considering his past of abuse accusations, the irony is inescapable.

Pitt's name is listed in the Adolescence credits, thanks to Plan B Entertainment, his production company. It results from allegations leveled by Angelina Jolie, his ex-wife, who, in filings with the law court, claimed to have been physically abused by Pitt and the kids.

She has reported that abuse began "well before" there was an incident involving a private flight in 2016, during which Pitt supposedly, according to USA Today, "choked one of the children and struck another in the face."

Although no charges were brought, accounts from the FBI and child services confirm that a fight did take place. With this in mind, Pitt's participation in a series about teen trauma raises uncomfortable questions.

Is Hollywood again covering up disturbing behavior for the sake of star power?

Disclaimer: This article is entirely the writer's opinion and it discusses allegations of child abuse and domestic violence, as well as mild spoilers for Adolescence.

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Brad Pitt’s allegations vs. Adolescence’s themes

Adolescence follows a real-world scenario: the radicalization of marginalized boys based on increasing knife crime and incel movements in the UK. The 13-year-old lead, Jamie Miller, is alleged to have killed his classmate, and the series takes us into his mind through a single-shot directing style.

Director Philip Barantini complimented Pitt's participation, telling People:

"Brad was on the phone with us, and he was so enthusiastic."

But should somebody with well-substantiated allegations of severe abuse be leading a production that condemns male violence and societal indifference?

Angelina Jolie's April 2024 court filing contends that Pitt has been involved in a "history of physical abuse" and attempted to silence her with an NDA.

The 2016 airplane incident, as recounted in USA Today, allegedly saw Pitt grab Jolie's head, shake her, and assault their children.

Even though authorities did not file charges, a neglect finding could have been maintained under New York law based on alcohol use and loss of control, according to the Colwell Law Group, 2016.

With such claims left unresolved, Brad Pitt's position as an advocate for socially responsible media seems profoundly hypocritical.

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Hollywood’s selective accountability is a case study in double standards for A-listers like Brad Pitt

The entertainment industry has long tussled with accountability. Actors like Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein were given career-ending consequences, while Brad Pitt persists in having prestige projects. In contrast to others, he was helped by the absence of video proof and legal loopholes that kept him out of prison.

Meanwhile, Adolescence is part of a growing list of socially conscious productions tied to controversial individuals, questioning the industry's moral integrity.

Adding to the complexity, Adolescence leans into stories of wayward youth and failed parents—subjects eerily familiar to the charges against F1 star, Brad Pitt.

The Guardian described the show as "one of the most terrifying TV shows of our time", a claim that assumes dark irony in the wake of Jolie's allegations.

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All episodes of Adolescence are now streaming on Netflix.