I’m a father of twin 7 year old boys, and my wife turned this show on randomly while we were getting ready for a day out on holiday.
Within minutes, we were sitting there transfixed, and a few minutes later I was in full “trying to stifle sobs” mode. “Adolescence” touches on so many themes and ideas that terrify me, especially while living in America.
The manosphere is a cancer. A blight. It spreads like wildfire, and can take root even in sweet, big hearted kids. I just can’t. I’m even struggling for words writing this comment.
That acting is about as fan-fucking-tastic as I’ve ever seen on any streaming app. That is no exaggeration. I highly recommend watching it, and Kate nails it with this article.
This was 'on the list'. It will now move higher up the list so be a watch on Sunday. As a parent I installed software on our home network and kid's phones. That allowed management and reporting - until they were 16. So say for 3 to 4 years. During that time we had lots of conversations over dinner.
That first episode was intense. The second was powerful, but a little less so. Am pacing myself as it's too much for one sitting, for me. It is terrifying how young impressionable minds are being shaped by social media, and their caregivers often have no idea how that world works, or what it could be doing to their children.
Couldn’t agree more, Kate. Elevating storytelling with current affairs to a profoundly provocative level. Compulsory viewing for so many speakable and unspeakable reasons.
Watching everything blow by blow, especially the finger printing scene, made me feel like I was right there as a parent (there but for the grace of God, as they say). The third episode blew my mind. What performances! Harrowing and haunting and absolutely essential viewing for all. The plight of teachers is also worthy of mention 🥺
Omg. We just finished watching and are bawling. So powerful. So much unspoken. The scene with the parents and the daughter in the bedroom broke me. We wanted to see our kids walk through the door so we could hug them and tell them how much we loved them, and that we were sorry. For being flawed. That we tried but we weren’t perfect. And that to two who are both now at Uni. Still crying as I type this.
This show is heart breaking, critically important and so very, very good.
I watched it some time before it premiered on Netflix, as I reviewed it and did a Zoom interview article (it's on my Substack).
It still haunts me. I have a 23 year old son, and some of the things I observed as he grew up through his teenage years... I didn't know. I wish this series came out 10 years ago.
Beautifully written and articulated, Kate. I'm late to comment because after I finished watching, I didn't really want to talk about it a whole lot for a while, and there's been a LOT of online discussion. But now my loins are re-girded, yes: I too wonder the extent to which our youngest (Jamie-aged) folk should watch it, but I definitely think it's illuminating and almost essential for parents, teachers (like me), aunts and uncles and everyone who takes emojis at face value.
One piece of solace: while we may never be able to police our young people online or on socials, we can do our damnedest to raise them to be compassionate, self-assured and not vulnerable to everything out there that creates a Jamie-situation. There are no guarantees, obviously, but it's as good a hope as we have. Modelling ways for young men to be, how to treat one another, women, girls, everyone.
That's all I can hope for with the precious young people in my life. 🙏🧡
Brilliant writing, as always, Kate! This series is so powerful. For some reason, I felt this sense of heaviness for a few days after watching it, similar to how I felt after The Brutalist. While I don’t think they’re comparable, both left me rather depressed about the world. (MIM xx)
I’m a father of twin 7 year old boys, and my wife turned this show on randomly while we were getting ready for a day out on holiday.
Within minutes, we were sitting there transfixed, and a few minutes later I was in full “trying to stifle sobs” mode. “Adolescence” touches on so many themes and ideas that terrify me, especially while living in America.
The manosphere is a cancer. A blight. It spreads like wildfire, and can take root even in sweet, big hearted kids. I just can’t. I’m even struggling for words writing this comment.
That acting is about as fan-fucking-tastic as I’ve ever seen on any streaming app. That is no exaggeration. I highly recommend watching it, and Kate nails it with this article.
What an incredible moment in time for you to share so emotionally and articulately Jared - thank you
This was 'on the list'. It will now move higher up the list so be a watch on Sunday. As a parent I installed software on our home network and kid's phones. That allowed management and reporting - until they were 16. So say for 3 to 4 years. During that time we had lots of conversations over dinner.
That first episode was intense. The second was powerful, but a little less so. Am pacing myself as it's too much for one sitting, for me. It is terrifying how young impressionable minds are being shaped by social media, and their caregivers often have no idea how that world works, or what it could be doing to their children.
Couldn’t agree more, Kate. Elevating storytelling with current affairs to a profoundly provocative level. Compulsory viewing for so many speakable and unspeakable reasons.
This show is all I can think about atm 🤯
Love your take on this, Kate, similar to mine as a parent to a 15-year old boy.
When you have a minute, I’d love your feedback:
https://reelsandriffs.substack.com
Unfortunately I don't have Netflix but watched the YouTube clip. Looks very powerful!
Adolescence!! WOW! I'm still reeling from it. Owen Cooper was amazing, blew me away. The entire show was next level on all accounts.
Watching everything blow by blow, especially the finger printing scene, made me feel like I was right there as a parent (there but for the grace of God, as they say). The third episode blew my mind. What performances! Harrowing and haunting and absolutely essential viewing for all. The plight of teachers is also worthy of mention 🥺
Omg. We just finished watching and are bawling. So powerful. So much unspoken. The scene with the parents and the daughter in the bedroom broke me. We wanted to see our kids walk through the door so we could hug them and tell them how much we loved them, and that we were sorry. For being flawed. That we tried but we weren’t perfect. And that to two who are both now at Uni. Still crying as I type this.
This show is heart breaking, critically important and so very, very good.
I watched it some time before it premiered on Netflix, as I reviewed it and did a Zoom interview article (it's on my Substack).
It still haunts me. I have a 23 year old son, and some of the things I observed as he grew up through his teenage years... I didn't know. I wish this series came out 10 years ago.
Beautifully written and articulated, Kate. I'm late to comment because after I finished watching, I didn't really want to talk about it a whole lot for a while, and there's been a LOT of online discussion. But now my loins are re-girded, yes: I too wonder the extent to which our youngest (Jamie-aged) folk should watch it, but I definitely think it's illuminating and almost essential for parents, teachers (like me), aunts and uncles and everyone who takes emojis at face value.
One piece of solace: while we may never be able to police our young people online or on socials, we can do our damnedest to raise them to be compassionate, self-assured and not vulnerable to everything out there that creates a Jamie-situation. There are no guarantees, obviously, but it's as good a hope as we have. Modelling ways for young men to be, how to treat one another, women, girls, everyone.
That's all I can hope for with the precious young people in my life. 🙏🧡
Brilliant writing, as always, Kate! This series is so powerful. For some reason, I felt this sense of heaviness for a few days after watching it, similar to how I felt after The Brutalist. While I don’t think they’re comparable, both left me rather depressed about the world. (MIM xx)