There are TV shows that entertain, and then there are ones that leave you sitting in stunned silence, staring at the credits. Adolescence on Netflix is the latter.
The four-part drama dives into something dark, something uncomfortable.
It goes beyond just exploring a murder case. It peels back the layers of masculinity, loneliness, and online radicalisation.
And it does it in a way that feels almost too real; almost too hard to watch.
What is ‘Adolescence’ all about?
Netflix’s Adolescence is a gripping psychological drama that dives deep into the complexities of youth, masculinity, and the unseen cracks in society.
Set against the backdrop of a shocking crime, the series unpacks the emotional and psychological struggles of its characters.
It has an IMDb rating of 8.4, based on more than 22,000 votes and user reviews.
‘Adolescence’ cast
The show boasts a stellar cast, led by Stephen Graham who delivers a haunting performance as Eddie Miller, the father of the accused boy.
He is a man unravelling under the weight of a nightmare he never saw coming. Graham (along with Jack Thorne) is also the creator of the show.
Stephen drew inspiration from heartbreaking, real-life stories. Watch his short explanation here:
Ashley Walters portrays one of the investigators, Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe, striking a delicate balance between duty and empathy, while Faye Marsay portrays Detective Sergeant Misha Frank.
But the real standout is the newcomer playing the accused boy, Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller. His chilling yet heartbreakingly raw performance cements him as a talent to watch.
‘Adolescence‘ is a visual masterpiece
From the very first episode, the cinematography pulls you in.
The camera moves deliberately, almost too close, making you feel like you’re trapped in the same suffocating reality as the characters.
Take the scene where a police officer walks through the station. The camera follows behind, slow and steady, making you feel the weight of what’s about to unfold.
It’s ominous, unsettling. You don’t even realise how tense you are until the moment passes.
This is the kind of visual storytelling that grips you without needing flashy effects or over-the-top drama. Every frame feels like a gut punch, making even the quietest moments heavy with meaning.
Masculinity, power, and a broken system
One of the most powerful moments in Adolescence isn’t violent. It isn’t loud.
It’s a quiet, devastating scene where a father watches his son go through a strip search. You don’t see the boy. You don’t see the officers conducting the search.
You only see the father’s face. His expression shifts between helplessness, shame, and heartbreak.
This moment sums up everything the show is trying to say about masculinity.
The father isn’t a bad man. He’s a good dad. He loves his son. He raised him well. Or at least, he thought he did, to the best of his abilities.
But even a good father, one who avoids physical violence, can still pass down toxic ideas about what it means to “be a man.” Unintentionally, without even realising it.
And that’s the real tragedy, isn’t it?
Because at one point, the father reflects on his own childhood: His father beat him. He swore he’d never do the same to his own children.
And yet, here they are.
Are men… broken?
I remember watching this one scene during the finale and saying out loud to my partner (let’s call him Player) “No, seriously. Men are broken.”
Not in the “men are trash” way. But in the sense that the entire system that upholds men’s supposed superiority is also the system that’s breaking them.
Toxic masculinity isn’t just bad for women. It’s bad for men too.
The same system that tells women to be small and quiet also tells men they can’t cry, they can’t be weak, they can’t be vulnerable.
They are driven by anger and rage.
And when young boys start feeling angry, lonely, or lost?
Then men start to suffer.
Adolescence raises unsettling yet important questions about the world young men navigate today. Let’s start with the most obvious:
Andrew Tate and incels
Andrew Tate’s name only comes up once in the series, but his presence looms over the story like a shadow.
In one scene, an officer explains “this incel stuff” to a colleague, referencing Tate and his influence. And that’s all it takes.
Because even without direct mentions, the show captures the unsettling rise of online figures who prey on lost, angry young men.
For those unfamiliar, Andrew Tate is a controversial influencer known for pushing hyper-masculine, misogynistic views.
Tate has built a massive following, largely among disillusioned teenage boys who see him as a mentor.
Meanwhile, the term “incel” (involuntary celibate) refers to an online subculture of men who blame women for their lack of romantic or sexual success.
Many incels see the world in rigid, bitter terms, believing society is stacked against them.
And that’s where Adolescence is at its most chilling… It doesn’t just point fingers at bad influences. It forces you to ask how we got here in the first damn place.
Male loneliness and mental health
The Andrew Tates of the world swoop in, feeding them a simple, seductive answer: The world is against you. Women are against you. Fight back.
And ironically, you’ll find the Tate-types who shout the loudest about men’s suffering are doing the least about it. Feminists care more about men than men themselves.
Suicide rates among men
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), roughly 700,000–800,000 people die by suicide worldwide.
And men account for the majority of suicide deaths. The global suicide rate for men (≈12.8 per 100,000) is more than double that for women (≈5.4 per 100,000).
In other words, men are over twice as likely to die by suicide as women globally. This gender gap is consistent across most regions and countries.
The ‘male loneliness epidemic‘
Experts have pointed to a growing epidemic of loneliness affecting men specifically. Many men lack close social connections.
For instance, in a recent US survey, 15% of men reported having no close friends, a figure that quintupled from just 3% in 1990.
Men’s friendship circles have also shrunk dramatically. Thirty years ago, 55% of men had six or more close friends; today only 27% of men do.
It’s not just Adolescence pointing this out. The numbers back it up.
- Men are more likely to experience loneliness but less likely to seek help.
- Male suicide rates are significantly higher than female suicide rates worldwide.
- Studies show that rigid gender expectations contribute to depression and isolation in men.
I don’t know what the solution is.
But something needs to change.
Why Adolescence is a must-watch
Netflix’s Adolescence is a gut punch of a series.
It’s not just about a crime. It’s not about the growing hatred towards women. It’s not just about the radicalisation of men.
It’s about the slow, quiet ways boys get lost, and the systems that fail them along the way.
It’s about the dangers of ignoring young men’s struggles.
It’s heavy.
It’s unsettling.
And honestly? It’s one of the most important things you can watch right now.
Need support? You’re not alone
If you’re struggling with depression, loneliness, or mental health challenges, help is available.
South Africa
- SADAG (South African Depression and Anxiety Group) – Call 0800 567 567 (24/7 Suicide Crisis Line) or SMS 31393 for immediate help.
- Brother’s For Life (Men’s Mental Health Support) – Focuses on emotional well-being and support for men. Visit www.brothersforlife.org
Global Support
- International Suicide Prevention Helplines: Find a helpline in your country via findahelpline.com
- Movember Foundation (Men’s Mental Health & Suicide Prevention) – https://movember.com
- ManKind Initiative (Male Mental Health & Domestic Abuse Support, UK-based) – https://www.mankind.org.uk
- HeadsUpGuys (Men’s Depression Support, Canada-based but global resources) – https://headsupguys.org
Talking about mental health isn’t a weakness. Reach out.
