Sometimes it happens: a series without a big advertising campaign suddenly becomes a hit. "Adolescence" is exactly that case. And if you haven't heard about this British miniseries yet, it's time to pay attention. Because right now it is confidently surpassing the giants of the industry.
Since its premiere in March 2025, the show, according to Netflix, has been watched by 141 million viewers in the first 90 days — and, mind you, it has surpassed "Stranger Things" (140 million), "Monster" about Jeffrey Dahmer (115 million), and even "Bridgerton" (113 million).
Source:
youtube.com
Loud Victory
But ratings are only part of the story. At the Gotham TV Awards ceremony, which took place in June in New York, the series literally swept away the competition: three wins out of four nominations. Best Miniseries, Best Leading Actor (Stephen Graham), and Best Supporting Actor (Owen Cooper). Considering the competition, this is significant.What's the show about?
13-year-old Jamie is arrested for murdering a classmate. Without any warning — they just burst into the house, lay the whole family on the floor, and take the boy away in handcuffs.What follows are four episodes of investigation, conversations with psychologists, and attempts to understand what led the teenager to such an action. And, importantly, two of the episodes focus not on Jamie, but on those whose lives changed after his actions.
Visual Style
Each episode is filmed in a single shot. The camera stays with the characters, doesn't blink, doesn't get distracted. And it's not just a technique for the sake of it — here it really works.Audience and Critics' Reaction
As usual, audiences and critics are divided. On Rotten Tomatoes — 99% approval, on IMDb — 8.2. However, on social media, questions arise: "Why such a condensed format?", "Where is the trial process?", "What happens to the characters next?". The finale leaves room for thought but also a sense of incompleteness.So, "Adolescence" is indeed a strong work. Nervous, unsettling. Perhaps not perfect. But definitely worthy of attention.Film critic BeneCumb from IMDbHowever, despite the series looking impressive, it has clear drawbacks. The characters are not well-developed, and the plot does not unfold properly. We know almost nothing about Jamie's thoughts or his motivations, making it difficult for us to connect with him. Key plot points, such as the fate of the murder weapon or the course of the investigation, remain unclear.
Previously, we at zoomboola.com shared what else to watch if you enjoyed the series "Adolescence".