Miniseries have become increasingly popular over the past decades, with audiences constantly searching for a quick, gripping story to spend a few hours with. There are very few that have become cultural phenomenons quite as quickly and effectively as Adolescence.
The British crime drama was recently named the ‘best miniseries ever made’ by Collider, which placed it at No. 1 on their ranking—ahead of classics like Band of Brothers and Chrernobyl.
Adolescence stars Owen Cooper as a young boy who is arrested for murdering his schoolmate, forcing his parents to face their worst nightmare. The show’s four episodes each depict a different day in this turbulent journey for the Miller family, from the moment of the boy’s arrest to his final moments of freedom.
The show was an enormous hit for Netflix, immediately shattering viewership records and becoming the streamer’s most popular show. It earned widespread praise from parents around the world, who appreciated its raw and authentic examination of “manosphere” culture and its growing popularity among young, disillusioned boys.
Owen Cooper also received immense praise for his breakthrough lead performance, which ultimately led him to win the Golden Globe, BAFTA, Critics’ Choice Award, and Primetime Emmy in an almost unprecedented critical sweep. Supporting actor Stephen Graham also received several awards and nominations for his turn as Eddie Miller, the young boy’s father.
Today, the show holds an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 97%, with a critical consensus that reads: “Stylistically bold and beautifully acted from top to bottom, Adolescence is a masterclass in televisual storytelling and a searing viewing experience that scars.”
Although the show is only one year old, it has already cemented itself as one of the most pressing, important, and timely miniseries ever made. Its examination of toxic masculinity in the digital age has sparked countless vital discussions about how to protect young boys and girls from the dangers of the internet, on top of raising awareness of the invisible world that many parents may not have been aware their children life in.
