TV Series Review: ADOLESCENCE

Actor Stephen Graham as Eddie, the boy's father.

If you know anything at all about pop culture you know that the TV show to watch right now is the four-episode British series, Adolescence. Released last month on Netflix, it's all the rage. It's also all about rage, so if dark and depressing aren't your thing, steer clear. But if you are currently the parent of a teen, or are considering having a child ever, or thrill at seeing fabulous acting that will literally blow you away, watch it today.

By now most people with heads know the story, so I won't waste many words on the plot. Based on an actual incident that happened in England several years ago, it concerns the murder of a young girl named Katie by her 13-year-old classmate, Jamie. Did he do it? Jamie professes he did not, while the audience learns the truth early on. The rest of the time we witness the horror caused by the shocking deed as it devastates the boy's family, his classmates and an entire small community.

An uncredited role is played by the Internet, which ultimately is the true murderer, not only of Katie but of youthful innocence, the happy times of childhood and the hope for a bright future. Online bullying, sexting of nude photos, the hidden meaning of emojis and the impossible cruelty of adolescents are brought to light in several hideous ways. 

It's best to keep the subtitles turned on as the Liverpool accents are difficult to understand. What's easy to understand are the many tears shed -- so convincingly that you will undoubtedly shed a few of your own. Jamie (Owen Cooper in his film debut) is by turns adorable, frightened, foul-mouthed and terrifying, bordering on psychotic. All of the actors are outstanding, but surely Stephen Graham as his father raises the bar, giving a wrenching performance so realistically searing that it demands a second viewing.

Moral of the Story: If you have a teenager, remove the door from their bedroom, check their cell phones daily and throw out all household computers.