Adolescence
A devastating and heartwrenching miniseries.
Philip Barantini and Stephen Graham return to deliver a powerful piece of television that raises many tough questions. Exploring how a young boy's environment can mold them into something terrifying. We follow the boy, his family and the police and are given mutiple persepctives of this tragedy. This isn't a mystery about who committed a crime; rather a question as to why he did it.
The cinematography is an incredible feat as it consists of one continuous take in each episode. It's seamless transitions and flowing movement keep you grounded and on the edge of your seat. You feel the gruelling tension and dread as you are thrust into a horrible nightmare that is uninterrupted.
Owen Cooper is the star of this series. A gripping performance that captures the vulnerability and complexity of a young boy. His anxious and timid behaviour making way for something volatile and dangerous.
Stephen Graham doesn't waste a single ounce of authenticity. His performance is utterly poignant; bringing to question a father's love for his son and his role as a father. Christine Tremarco and Amélie Pease are amazing; encapsulating the grief and pain felt by a family broken by such a tragedy.
Ashley Walters and Faye Marsay are fantastic; their confusion and frustration with such a senseless crime is felt throughout. Erin Doherty is incredible; showcasing the commitment and sensitivity a psychologist must undertake in understanding a troubled mind.
The score is pensive and haunting. It lingers like a bad feeling; utilising droning ambience; emotive orchestration and eerie vocals that pull you into it's unsettling atmosphere. The cover of Fragile and the final song also hit you like a tonne of bricks.
Toxic masculinity has begun to spread like a deadly disease more recently. Young minds are more easily susceptible to damaging and dangerous views due to readily available social media and horrible men like Andrew Tate. Warping young men and turning them into something monstrous.
Women struggle daily due to these disgusting views and are consistently at harm because of it. We have to educate young people about these dangers and mold them into good-natured men who are both loving and caring of others.
We are all culpable for the way young men are shaped. We could sit here and point fingers but that will get us nowhere. We need to act now for everyone's safety. Countless women have had their lives taken because a man thinks they can control or decide the fate of their existence. That ends with us.
9/10