Shivi's Take: Adolescence

 Shivi's Take: Adolscence 

Of course, I had to write about Adolescence—it’s the only thing I see taking over social media!

For those new here, I’m Shivika Sharma, a film student who writes about everything that fascinates me: cinema, literature, spirituality, and storytelling. Shivi’s Take is a sub-section of my blog, Monologues with Movies, where I share my perspective on films and shows that leave a mark on me. This is my third post in the series, and I couldn’t not talk about Adolescence.

Adolescence is a gripping British crime drama miniseries that premiered on Netflix on March 13, 2025. Created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, the series consists of four episodes, each filmed in a single continuous take. The story follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller, played by Owen Cooper, who is accused of murdering his classmate, Katie Leonard. As the investigation unfolds, the series dives deep into Jamie’s family dynamics, the case led by DI Luke Bascombe (Ashley Walters), and the psychological evaluations conducted by therapist Briony Ariston (Erin Doherty).

Jamie Miller did murder Katie Leonard—there’s no doubt about that. But what makes Adolescence so gripping isn’t the question of whether he did it, but why. Throughout the series, we slowly unravel Jamie’s fractured state of mind, and while his reason for killing Katie doesn’t justify his actions, it forces us to sit with an unsettling truth: sometimes, people, especially kids, act out of emotions they barely understand themselves.

Through his therapy sessions with Briony Ariston, we get an intimate look into Jamie’s psyche. His episodes of dissociation, the way he struggles to articulate his feelings, and his distorted perception of reality make it clear that he wasn’t just some cold-blooded killer—he was deeply disturbed, lost in emotions he didn’t know how to process. The show doesn’t excuse him, but it makes us understand him. And that’s what makes it so haunting.

Another layer to Jamie’s story is how he would likely be labeled an incel if this were a real-life case (which is what it was based on and he mentions it in the series that people did call him that) The way Katie rejects him, the way he internalizes that rejection, and how it festers into something much darker—it’s unsettling but painfully real. Adolescence doesn’t just tell us what happened; it makes us sit with the uncomfortable reality of how a 13-year-old boy, still forming his identity, could spiral into something so destructive.

The show subtly explores how young boys, when exposed to certain narratives about rejection and masculinity, can develop a dangerous mindset. Jamie’s actions aren’t justified, but they’re a product of something bigger, something society often fails to address until it’s too late. Through his therapy sessions, we see just how much his sense of self was warped, how rejection became more than just a momentary sting; it became his entire worldview. And that’s what makes Adolescence so terrifyingly effective.

Since its release, the obsession with one-take films has skyrocketed. (And yes, I jumped on the bandwagon too.) I honestly don’t think it’s overhyped at all. The acting, the storytelling, the sound design, the cinematography—every aspect of this show is flawless. It’s one of those rare series that doesn’t just show emotions but makes you feel them. The way it builds empathy for every character, especially Jamie’s father, is beyond brilliant. Fun fact: Stephen Graham, one of the creators, also plays the father. 

The production process itself is mind-blowing. Each episode had a three-week timeline, with the final week solely dedicated to filming. What’s even more impressive? Episode 1 was completed in just the second take! The whole one-take approach brings such a raw, immersive quality to the storytelling—it feels real, like you're right there with the characters.

Also, can we talk about the sandwich? The way it was subtly woven into the narrative was such a small but genius touch. And here’s something even cooler—the actress who plays Katie, the victim, is also the one singing the songs in the show. Details like these add so much depth to the experience.

One thing that really stood out to me was how the story is inspired by real-life events. I’ve seen many films based on true stories, but Adolescence has a different kind of grip. The emotions are so raw and unfiltered that you don’t just observe the characters—you become them. You feel what they feel.

Even though I loved the entire series, the final episode was my favorite. The conversation inside the car between the parents (Eddie and Manda Miller: parents of Jamie Miller aka the boy who murdered Katie) and their older daughter (Lisa Miller: the sister of Jamie) felt so natural, especially the way the father tries to lighten the mood—even though it’s his birthday. Just when things start to feel normal, he gets a call from Jamie saying he’ll plead guilty. The atmosphere shifts instantly. The way the couple processes the news, the way their daughter reacts—it’s all so heartbreakingly real. And then, the final scene. The father lying down on Jamie’s bed, breaking down, all alone. The show begins in Jamie’s room and ends there—but everything has changed. The weight of that moment hit me hard.

This series left such a strong impact on me that I ended up making my own one-take short film—a 13-minute shot that I wrote in just 15 minutes. (Casual flex.) But that’s the thing about Adolescence—it doesn’t just make you watch; it makes you create. It pushes boundaries, challenges perspectives, and lingers in your mind long after it’s over.

It’s not just a show—it’s an experience. And if you haven’t watched it yet, I highly recommend you do.

Thankyou for reading :)