ANALYSIS: NETFLIX SERIAL-ADOLESCENCE

 The following analysis of the net-flix documentary-serial ADOLESCENCE was written around 31Mar2025 as part of assignment for Life Span Psychology MA(Applied Psy)

NETFLIX SERIAL- ADOLESCENCE

INTRODUCTION

The Netflix 4-part serial ‘ADOLESCENCE’ is creating new records in terms of popularity and viewership. Many critiques have called it- the closest thing to perfect cinema making. The serial has already been screened at British Parliament and proposal to screen at all UK schools has received support from the Prime Minister. It is a crime drama depicted in four parts, each of about 60 minutes duration. Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham are the co-creators. Explaining the theme of Adolescence, co-creator Graham says, “One of our aims was to ask, ‘What is happening to our young men these days, and what are the pressures they face from their peers, from the internet, and from social media?” The idea for the series was based on a real incident where a young boy 14 years old killed his girlfriend by stabbing her multiple times.

NARRATIVE

The episode-one of the serial opens with the police raiding the house of Miller Family. They arrest Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy on suspicion of murdering his class mate (a girl named Katie). He, and the family denies the allegation forcefully. The police take Jamie to the detention center for interrogation. This first part is about his interrogation and detaining him at the juvenile detention center. His shocked parents, keeps insisting that there would have been some identity mistake. Jamie goes through the formalities like search for any concealed weapon, medically testing him for capability to endure detention and providing him with counsellor and a lawyer to fight his case. Jamie makes his father his confidante (he would be permitted to be at his side during any interrogation). Jamie’s father Eddie Miller (played by actor Stephen Graham, who is also the co-creator of the serial) is devastated and he repeatedly asks (in private too) if he has done anything for which he has been blamed. Jamie denies any wrong doing. The lawyer had briefed both Jamie and his father that he should not answer any direct questions associating him with the crime. Instead, such questions could be answered as, “I do not know.” Jamie follows up the instructions and answers many questions as, “I do not Know.” To many other questions he did provide answers which were often interjected with, “I did no wrong.” He is than shown the CCTV footage where Jamie is seen following the victim Katie close to the crime time. The next footage is that of car parking which was also the site of crime. Jamie is shown confronting Katie and after a little confrontation he is shown stabbing her multiple times. Now Wait. The CCTV picture is not that clear as to recognize the faces without any doubt. It is clear that more evidence would be required to prove the crime. A shoe was traced at the site which appears to be that of Jamie. Jamie refuses to accept that the shoe belonged to him. 

The second part of the serial which describes the events of three days after the murder, is dominated at exploring the school culture where Jamie studied. The investigating team visit the school and talks with his class mates, children, teachers, and friends of the victim Katie to find motives and clues into the crime. The emphasis is to show the prevailing culture in schools and the attitude and thought processes of adolescence. The school emerges as a chaotic place and children as apathetic, selfish and bullies. The impact of social media also emerges in this part. The prevailing ‘toxic male behavior’ (misogyny) remains an important and central theme of the film. The police team learns that Katie might have indulged in on-line bullying of Jamie. We (viewers) are introduced to the dark underbelly of the toxic online culture practiced through social sites. There are groups like ‘Manosphere’ which promote violence and crime against women. We are introduced to the term ‘incel’ (involuntary celibate) and how Jamie associated himself with the term and his anger when Katie called him an incel on a picture of his.

The third part describing the time 7 months after the incident, is rated, as the most intense and gut-wrenching. It introduces Briony Ariston as the clinical psychologist (the role is played by actor Erin Doherty). She clarifies that she is not there for therapy but to merely prepare a report for the judges about his mental health and the circumstances surrounding the case. The entire episode three consists of the clinical interview where Briony employs every psychological trick to delve into the inner psyche of Jamie. The performance of both actors is rated as ‘perfect’ by many film critics. Briony, the psychologist, starts at a confident note trying to keep Jamie in good humor. She gradually shifts to delve deeper into Jamie’s perception of masculinity and his attitude towards women. She puts across many questions about Jamie’s relationship with his father which is not liked by Jamie who ridicules her of suspecting that his parents neglected him. He impressed that his family was good and he loved his father who was a nice person. The interview soon turned into a game of one-upmanship for Jamie. He displayed uncontrolled anger and aggression towards the psychologist constantly trying to belittle her and ridiculing her efforts. Nevertheless, Briony was able to get significant information about the surrounding circumstances of the case. Katie has taken a topless photo of herself that night. and sent to his friend whom she fancied. This friend circulated her photo to other students. This had hurt Katie. Jamie approached Katie to make an offer for an  outing with him. Jamie thought that Katie was emotionally weak and vulnerable and would consent. However, Katie rebuffed him which angered Jamie. He, though, refused to reveal any thing more and kept insisting that he had no wrong.

The interview witnesses many melodramatic moments. Jamie aggressively explodes on Briony, making her petrified and disturbed. The interview appeared to end abruptly as Briony leaves Jamie, saying that she is not going to come again thus marking an end to their association. Jamie is heartbroken and pleads her to continue sessions with him (This was the 5^th session he was having with her and it was implicit that he trusted and liked her and the thought of ending her relationship with her was distressing for him). As Jamie is forcefully taken out of the room he retaliates and fights with the guard and bangs on the windows and asks Briony if she like her.  All alone in the room, and bereft of the professional mask, Briony is crying- an unnerving emotional meltdown.

The fourth and the last episode centers on the Jamie’s parents and his sister who have been devasted by the incident. All family members are hopeful that Jamie will be free. They face discrimination and veiled abuses from the neighbors. Someone spray paints their Van with a slang “Nonce” which is used to describe a person who has committed sexual offence, especially against children. All this while (it is almost 13 months) the case is awaiting trial. The family believes that Jamie is innocent and would be soon out of detention once the case is presented to the court.

LIFE SPAN PSYCHOLOGY: ADOLESCENCE STAGE

The title of the film ‘Adolescence’ makes it evident that the film is about the developmental stage of Adolescence which the text books indicate is between 10-12 years to 18-21 years (JW Santrock). This phase of development is considered critical to the personality of a child as they encounter significant physical, social and emotional issues. Puberty is a period of rapid physical changes, hormonal fluctuations, and sexual maturation. Body image concerns start haunting them as they compare themselves with others and role models in media. It is common for teenagers to get anxious about their physical appearance. On the emotional side also, it is a rough journey as hormonal changes and associated stress precipitates emotional fluctuations manifested as mood swings. They become prone to developing anxiety and depression and find difficulty in managing emotions, leading to impulsive and volatile behavior.

The stage is marked with social and interpersonal issues. Influence of peer pressure on behavior and values makes them experiment harmful habits and risky behavior. Social comparison with others leads to feelings of inadequacy or superiority. It is the time they encounter first love, intimate relationship, and heart breaks. It is not easy and they often land up in fights, conflicts, and confusion. On the family side there are differences surfacing as they fight for their independence while parents put boundaries on them. This, many times forces them to rebel.

Almost all experience an identity crisis as brough out in Erikson's 5^th stage ‘Identity versus identity crisis’. In the process they try and experiment with different roles and try to copy their models. It is not uncommon to experiment with drugs. All these factors have been brought out in the psychological theories on development like Erikson’s psycho-social theory.

CONNECTING LSP THEORIES WITH FILM

The film explores the theme of ‘Teenage turmoil’ as we see Jamie struggling with issues like bullying, peer pressure and rejection. ‘Social media’ and its impact on teenagers have been highlighted as one of the major reasons for ‘adolescence issues’. The makers of the documentary have been blunt and frank in assigning social media as a major culprit in turning teenagers into hate filled persons. The film delves into the mental health struggles of teenagers, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Impact of social media, bullying, mental health, masculinity and misogyny, male rage, toxic incel culture, online forums like manosphere.

The film gives glimpse of childhood of Jamie. His father trying to toughen him up forcing him to play sports even though Jamie struggled. He ignored his sons love of drawing. They buy him a computer and headset and believe he is safe because he is at home in his room. The notion that children are safe because they are near us may be faulty in today’s time. Social media takes one into a different world in no time.