Netflix series Adolescence has got viewers talking, with the ending leaving some people divided. The gripping four-part drama has been met with high acclaim from audiences and critics alike. Starring Stephen Graham alongside on-screen newcomer Owen Cooper, it tells the harrowing story of a 13 year old boy accused of the murder of his classmate. In the show, Owen plays Jamie Miller, the young boy accused of murder, while Ashley Walters plays Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe, who is in charge of the investigation. The series shows Jamie unravel and expose his darkest thoughts, but also portrays the ripple effect the horrific crime has on his family and his school.
Netflix series Adolescence has got viewers talking
(Image: Netflix)
The final episode in the four-part series picks up thirteen months on from Jamie’s arrest. Viewers see Stephen Graham’s character Eddie grapple with the attempt to maintain normalcy during his 50th birthday celebrations with his wife and daughter, despite the turmoil of the preceding year and Jamie’s impending trial. Viewers see Eddie endure antagonism from neighbours and strangers and get a phone call from Jamie in prison. The ending moments of Adolescence show him in Jamie’s untouched bedroom, where he breaks down and clutches his son’s teddy before tucking it into bed. “I’m sorry, son,” he says to the teddy. “I should have done better”, reports the Mirror. Fans of the gripping drama were torn over the show’s finale, feeling a mixture of awe for Stephen Graham’s powerful performance and frustration at the conclusion of the storyline. Some viewers hoped for more closure, particularly around Jamie’s trial. One fan commented: “Kinda disappointed by the ending of Adolescence, it feels like it’s missing so much of the story, I wish it was perhaps longer or that the ending would show his trial.”
Fans have praised the powerful performances
(Image: Courtesy of Netflix)
Others praised the acting but said of the conclusion: “Just finished Adolescence on Netflix. The acting was amazing and very good storyline, but the ending could’ve been better in my opinion!” A third viewer echoed these sentiments, noting: “Adolescence was a brilliant series overall, however that last episode was dragged out.” Despite the divided reception, many praised the technical achievement of the final episode being filmed in one continuous shot like the first three episodes, as cameras followed Eddie and his family on an intense journey from their home to a DIY store amidst the family’s emotional chaos. Some viewers argued that those who found the ending ‘dull’ had missed the point. One person said: “Those of you who say the ending was boring don’t get it it wasn’t made for entertainment purposes it was showing how children’s actions have an effect on family and it was important to include.” One more impressed viewer said: “The final episode of #Adolescence was SO important. Ppl was looking for a twist like the twist wasn’t in ep ONE. But to see how these things affect the FAMILY individually is SO important.” While Adolescence isn’t based on a true story, Stephen, who co-created and wrote the series, emphasised that the series portrays an “ordinary family’s worst nightmare.” In a chat with Tudum, by Netflix, he said: “I really just wanted to shine a light on it, and ask, ‘Why is this happening today? What’s going on? How have we come to this?'” Adolescence is available to stream on Netflix
