Adolescence rises to the top of Netflix’s charts with an impeccable review score

With 52 reviews and a strong 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Netflix's most recent series, Adolescence, has shot to the top of its charts globally and received rave reviews. This four-part psychological criminal drama has mesmerized viewers with its original narrative style, emotional complexity, and thought-provoking issues, released on March 13, 2025.

Cowritten by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, the show directed by Philip Barantini delves into the tragic consequences on his family and society of a 13-year-old boy's arrest for murder. Its groundbreaking one-shot film approach lends realism and power to the story, making it one of Netflix's most compelling offerings this year.

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Adolescence plot summary: The terror of a family's dream

Adolescence tells of 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), alleged to have killed his schoolmate Katie. The arrest destroys the lives of his family members—including his father, Eddie Miller (Stephen Graham), acting as Jamie's "proper adult" throughout the inquiry.

The show plays out over four episodes, each shot in one long uninterrupted scene and in real-time. Using this approach, viewers are immersed in the psychological depths and raw emotions characters experience while negotiating guilt, societal expectations, and trauma.

The program explores topics including mental health, social media impact, bullying, and toxic masculinity. It raises deep questions about teenage years and the influences that might cause a fairly ordinary kid to perpetrate a terrible crime.

Graham has stressed that the show is meant to investigate peer and Internet sources and the stresses young men face today. Critics say that Adolescence is not only a crime drama but also a warning about present social problems.

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Inventive filmmaking: The One-shot method

Adolescence stands out, particularly for its use of the one-shot video technique. This method, according to director Philip Barantini, needed several months of planning and many rehearsals to run smoothly. The show gives an unfiltered, immersive viewing experience that raises emotional intensity by filming every episode in a single continuous shot.

This approach is reminiscent of movies like 1917 and Birdman, where continuous takes magnify narrative impact. Letting events play out in real-time and without movie breaks allows for honesty in Teenagers. Critics have liked this approach since it keeps attention on the characters' frigid interactions and pulls viewers farther into their world.

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Critical Acclaim: Masterpiece in Storytelling

Critics have lauded Adolescence for its strong performances and engaging story since it was published. While Owen Cooper's rendering of Jamie is chilling in accuracy, Stephen Graham's representation of Eddie Miller has been said to be "tall" and emotionally poignant. Erin Doherty's character as psychoanalyst Briony Ariston helps to investigate Jamie's mental condition.

Drawing attention to its elegance in dealing with difficult issues, Alan Sepinwall of Rolling Stone named Adolescence "one of the very top items" on TV this year. From The Mercury News, Randy Myers lauded Graham's double function as cocreator and actor for offering remarkable insight into family pain.

While reviewers pointed out several minor plot holes, these are eclipsed by the gripping narration and moody cinematography.

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Adolescence has established itself as one of Netflix's most engaging releases in 2025 by its critical acclaim and strong viewer ratings—a must-see for anyone looking for an intelligent drama that stays long after the credits roll.