A Wake-Up Call Named Adolescence: A Review from the Heart

Movie: Adolescence

Cast: Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty, Faye Marsay

Network: Netflix

Jasmine Singh

A little before the buzz turned into a full-blown furor, I had the chance to watch Netflix's Adolescence. Or, as we might say it in India—Adolo-scence. But let me tell you—however you pronounce it, the chill doesn't go away.

The impact of this limited series lingers long after the final episode fades out. It haunted me. It made me think about my niece and nephew, both around the same age as the kids in the show. It made me wonder: Could I write to Kevin Systrom and plead with him to ban Instagram for teenagers? For kids? For adolescents (yes, in the Indian accent, too)? And if he were to ask me why, I would dive right into how I felt after watching this show.

Take 13-year-old Jamie Miller, played by Owen Cooper. He’s dragged to the police station in front of his stunned parents, Eddie and his younger sister. I sat there thinking: Surely, he’ll walk free. He’s just a child. This must be a misunderstanding. The police will apologize, right?

But then the officers present evidence—cold, hard proof—that shatters that comforting illusion. And the pit in my stomach grows deeper.

Now, if Kevin were to ask again, “What does social media have to do with this?” I’d point him straight to the details that unravel through the four gripping episodes, all directed by Philip Barantini in a single-take format that adds raw immediacy to the story.

I’d especially draw his attention to Episode 3, which unfolds almost entirely in one room—where Jamie is interviewed by psychiatrist Briony Ariston (Erin Doherty). It’s brutal. Spine-chilling. Unforgettable.

Where is all this rage coming from? That’s the question. And the answer, tragically, seems to lie in the way social media has embedded itself in adolescent identity. The series subtly but clearly shows young teens trying desperately to put their "best face forward" online—chasing likes, seeking validation, competing for attention. Girls trying to impress boys. Boys trying to gain status. It’s a pressure cooker of popularity contests.

And yes, I did hear Jamie mention Andrew Tate. That, in itself, says a lot.

This series isn’t just storytelling—it’s a wake-up call. A brutal mirror held up to what our children are consuming and who they’re becoming.

So yes, Mr. Systrom—this is what we want our adolescents to grow up with? No. It’s not. It’s time to rethink what we’ve allowed into their lives.

Control social media now—or risk losing an entire generation to its grip.