Parenting is often described as a balancing act—equal parts love, discipline, guidance, and sheer guesswork. But what happens when the scales tip and your child faces challenges you never anticipated? That’s the question Netflix’s Adolescence challenged me with. This gripping limited series didn’t just entertain me; it had me considering a list of my own fears, hopes, and responsibilities as a dad. Even for a brief moment, it forced me to take a different perspective on how I raise my boys, how I write about parenting, and even how I see myself. Rarely does a TV show leave such an emotional imprint, but Adolescence did just that—and then some.
**spoilers ahead**
I should mention that I already knew going in that this series was going to hit my sensitive nature hard. I may have also gotten caught up in the hype of a show people online were calling an emotional roller coaster. I’m sure there are just as many people who watched it, thought it was okay, and moved on. However, one thing was clear after the first episode. This was not a binge-watch for me—it was an emotional experience.
Overall Thoughts
From the first episode, Adolescence grips you with its intensity. The story of Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old accused of murder, is not just about crime but about the societal and emotional forces that shape young people today. The show’s refusal to provide easy answers is what makes it so powerful. It forces viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about parenting, technology, and mental health. Critics have called it “the closest thing to TV perfection in decades,” and I couldn’t agree more.
For context, my wife and I have been watching The Pitt, and for those who have spent time with Dr. Robby, you know that show can be as intense as it gets. But Adolescence takes it to another level. Of course, the parenting aspect of it all makes it hit much closer to home compared to the ER situations of the Max series. After an hour of The Pitt, I could at least take a breath and move on.
For Adolescence, this was not the case. After each hour, I needed a mental break. I certainly could not binge-watch it and needed to leave days between episodes to recover.
Did you binge-watch it or take breaks between episodes? I have heard from friends who did both.
And if the story wasn’t enough to shake you. Let’s not forget the fact that each episode was filmed in one continuous shot. Yep, from the opening scene, there was never a cut or stoppage. As someone who used to work in television production, the “how did they do that”, took up a lot of my mental real estate as I tried to figure out the magic.
Production Value
Again, one of the standout aspects of Adolescence is its groundbreaking cinematography. Each episode is filmed in a single continuous shot, immersing viewers in real-time events. This technique heightens the tension and makes you feel like you’re in the room with the characters. The meticulous choreography required for this format showcases the incredible talent of director Philip Barantini and cinematographer Matthew Lewis. It’s not just visually stunning; it amplifies the emotional weight of every scene.
In episode two, when that kid jumped through the school window to run from the police, I think I gasped as silly as it sounds.
The performances are equally remarkable. Stephen Graham as Jamie’s father delivers a heart-wrenching portrayal of a parent grappling with guilt and helplessness. Owen Cooper, in his debut role as Jamie, captures the vulnerability and confusion of adolescence with haunting realism.
The supporting cast also shines. Erin Doherty as Jamie’s psychologist brings a quiet intensity to her role, particularly in episode three’s therapy session—a pivotal moment in understanding Jamie’s psyche. Faye Marsay and Ashley Walters, playing detectives investigating the case, add further complexity with their layered performances that reveal their characters’ own moral dilemmas.
Even the somewhat creepy security guard who hated his job in episode three added his own layer to the landscape.
Masculinity, Mental Health, and Digital Dangers
At its core, Adolescence explores themes that resonate deeply with modern parenting. The series examines how societal expectations around masculinity can suppress boys’ emotions, leading to harmful outcomes. Jamie’s struggles with bullying and his descent into toxic online spaces highlight how unaddressed vulnerabilities can spiral out of control.
The show also delves into the impact of digital radicalization on young minds. Jamie’s engagement with extremist online communities serves as a stark warning about the dangers lurking in unmoderated digital spaces.
One of my biggest takeaways was as parents, we often focus on limiting screen time without fully understanding what our kids are consuming online.
Watching as a Dad
Watching Adolescence was not just entertainment—it became an emotional experience that at least questioned some of my own fears as a dad. Like Jamie’s parents in the series, it is pretty easy to wonder if I’m doing enough to prepare my boys for the challenges they’ll face. The show reminded me that parenting isn’t just about providing but also about listening—truly hearing what our kids are saying (and not saying). It’s certainly an aspect of parenting I have been reading about and trying to incorporate as our boys have hit the teenage years.
After watching Adolescence I almost want to get the kids to give me a performance review so I can evaluate my parenting career to date. I think I am doing a good job, but do you ever really know?
The scenes depicting family dynamics hit particularly close to home. Jamie’s parents are portrayed as loving but flawed individuals who unintentionally contribute to their son’s struggles. It made me reflect on my own parenting style: Am I focused enough on shaping my sons into who I think they should be? Am I giving them enough space to express themselves?
What could change?
As a parenting blogger, Adolescence has reminded me about the deeper issues that many face and how quickly things can change. While I often share lighthearted anecdotes or BBQ recipes, this series makes me want to address topics like mental health and digital safety for kids more often. Like recently when I realized it was time to start putting more thought into how I share information and photos of my boys.
But no matter who watches, the big takeaway from the show is the importance of fostering open communication at home. Writing about these topics feels daunting but necessary; if Adolescence taught me anything, it’s that silence can be dangerous.
Will watching Adolescence change how I approach parenting? Probably not. But it has certainly reminded me about a few things. For one, it underscored the importance of teaching emotional intelligence to my boys. Encouraging them to express their feelings openly—and showing them that vulnerability is not weakness.
Additionally, Adolescence has reminded me to be more aware of their online activities. What are they watching on Netflix, who are they talking to in a video game and what digital personalities are they learning from? The portrayal of Jamie’s radicalization was chilling but eye-opening. It was a great example that monitoring screen time isn’t enough; we need to have ongoing conversations about what they’re encountering online.
Finally, the show reinforced the idea that no parent is perfect—and that’s okay. What matters is being present and willing to learn alongside your children.
The scene in episode four, when the parents were sitting upstairs and the conversation kept going back to “we made him”, really stuck with me.
Netflix’s Adolescence is worth the watch
Netflix’s Adolescence isn’t just a TV show; it can be seen as a rallying cry out to parents who are navigating the complexities of raising children in today’s world. The show is not a who-dun-it with dramatic gotcha twists. It’s not even a Law and Order type show.
It’s four distinct check-in points for a fairly normal family going through something I hope nobody has to go through. It’s masterful storytelling and compelling themes are going to stick with me for a bit—not only as a viewer but also as a dad and writer.
If you’re looking for a series that challenges your perspective while delivering top-tier entertainment, Adolescence is an absolute must-watch. Just be prepared: it is going to dig up some stuff whether you are a parent or not—and that’s exactly why it matters.
Randoms
- I read that the song being played while the drone camera flies over to the memorial is sung by the girl who plays Katie.
- The phone call in the van was pretty hard. I thought I made it through the episode. But then dad went into Jamie’s bedroom. Woof.
- Glad North America now knows about cheese and pickle sandwiches.
- I still can’t believe the boy who played Jamie had never done professional acting before.
- I liked how they did not rely on music that much to tell us how to feel.
- When the family all got in the work van, I had flashbacks of going for drives in my dad’s cable van. I can still smell it.
- I think it would be extremely cool if, in a few years, they made one more episode at 67 weeks or something to show how everyone’s life is.
- The actors who played the parents grew up in the same town and have known each other for over 20 years.
What did you think of Netflix’s Adolescence? Is it over-hyped? Did it make you think? Was it just entertainment? Let me know in the comments.
