Netflix’s Adolescence calls attention to the emotional trauma associated with juvenile crimes. The psychological drama created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham stars Owen Cooper and Stephen Graham alongside Ashley Walters, Faye Marsay, Christine Tremarco, and Amelie Pease. It was released in March 2025 to a warm reception.
Besides its gripping story, the miniseries has enjoyed rave reviews for the performances of its lead actors, Philip Barantini’s directing, and the continuous shooting employed for its cinematography. Adolescence revolves around Cooper’s character, Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old accused of murdering his classmate. Here’s a ranking of the show’s most intense moments across its four episodes.
1. When The Police Raided The Millers’ Home To Arrest Jamie
This scene sets the unsettling tone underlying the psychological drama. Raiding the Millers’ home with guns to arrest a minor for murder was hard to watch, as much as it’s a traumatic experience for the Millers. With his parents convinced the police were mistaken and Jamie insisting he did nothing wrong, the scene would have any viewer livid on behalf of the Millers. Even as the story unfolds, justifying the raid and the distressing booking process while in police custody, the scene remains one of the most intense moments in Adolescence. From when he was read his rights to when he was strip searched, Jamie’s arrest hints at how crimes involving minors can be a harrowing experience for all parties involved.
2. When Jamie Was Shown Footage Of His Crime
Jamie’s insistence on his innocence begins to crumble when he’s interrogated at the police station. Having promised his dad he’s done nothing wrong, his refusal to answer questions regarding his whereabouts the night Katie Leonard was murdered hints he’s complicit in the crime. But neither the viewers nor his father was ready for what came next.
A CCTV footage of Jamie attacking Katie left the lad and his dad weeping in the interrogation room, stirring the audience towards an inquisition into Jamie’s motive. Seeing Eddie break down in tears while drawing Jamie in for an embrace emits raw emotions that underscore the unconditional love of a parent. Eddie’s quick decision to support Jamie while struggling to understand why he committed such a cruel crime makes one of the most intense moments in Adolescence.
3. When Brionyn Ariston Met Jamie At A Remand Home
Erin Doherty’s scene with Cooper in “Episode 3” delivers a rollercoaster of emotions. While the audience holds out faith, hoping there’s an explanation that’d exonerate Jamie from Katie’s murder, his session with Briony (Doherty) shows he’s not as innocent as he seems in previous episodes. Amid efforts to understand what might have pushed the boy to take his classmate’s life, the forensic psychologist arrives at a shocking realization.
Beneath Jamie’s calm demeanor and sweet personality lies a manipulative manic craving for approval and acceptance. He’s a troubled child with anger issues and a disturbing desperation to be liked. From sizing up Brionyn to his menacing attempts to intimidate and rattle her, Jamie’s sociopathic tendencies manifested in full blare, providing insight into how he committed the violent crime. The session ends with the therapist in tears and Jamie throwing a tantrum for not winning Briony’s approval, ranking the scene among the most intense moments in Adolescence.
4. The Millers’ Struggle For A Normal Life
While awaiting trial, the aftermath of Jamie’s crime draws viewers into a wave of complex emotions that amounts to another intense moment in Adolescence. Apart from dealing with the stigma pushing the Millers towards becoming a dysfunctional family, Jamie’s parents must make tough decisions to forge ahead. As they strive to maintain a glimpse of normalcy amid a heated dialogue about relocating the family, it’s soul-crushing to see them recapture a loving moment before Eddie lost control of his emotions at the mall. Jamie’s call to commemorate his dad’s 50th birthday didn’t help the situation. He disclosed his decision to plead guilty, destroying Eddie’s glimmer of hope for his son’s innocence.
5. Eddie And Manda Miller’s Soul Search In Episode 4
With Jamie’s decision to plead guilty, his parents could no longer wish away what he did. Now that their 13-year-old is owning up to Katie’s murder, the couple is compelled to have a tough conversation about their parenting. It’s heart-wrenching to see them wonder what they did wrong, especially for Eddie, who opted to raise his son lovingly, against the abusive way his father raised him.
The impassioned scene brings Adolescence to its most intense moment, with Jamie’s parents embracing their new reality. The Millers ultimately resolve to face the blowback from Jamie’s crime instead of running away to seek a new beginning elsewhere. Check out unresolved storylines for Running Point Season 2.
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