How Can a 13-Year-Old Commit Murder?
What was once an absurd, unthinkable question is the central premise of Adolescence, Netflix’s latest British drama.
From the first episode, the show grips you with its raw portrayal of youth violence. It pushes us to confront an unsettling reality—children, barely teenagers, are capable of unimaginable acts. But Adolescence does not sensationalize crime; rather, it dissects it, laying bare the complex web of factors that lead to such a moment.
It’s Not About the Victim
Unlike many crime dramas, Adolescence does not dwell on the victim. Instead, it forces us to ask: Who is the perpetrator? Who is his family? Who are his friends? What kind of environment produces a child capable of killing?
The show wrestles with these haunting questions, exposing the uncomfortable truth that the killer does not come from an easily identifiable “dangerous” background. His family is normal—too normal. This leads us to the most disturbing thought: Could we all, unknowingly, be creating a murderer?
The Evolution of Teenage Violence
Teen violence has always been a source of societal fear. Yet Adolescence suggests it is shifting, evolving into something more complex. Social pressures, online influences, and silent mental struggles all play a role. The show’s unflinching British realism forces us to recognize that these incidents are not distant, cautionary tales—they are happening here and now, in ways we might be ignoring.
The show can be compared to 13 Reasons Why, another series that tackles teenage pain and violence. However, where 13 Reasons Why focuses on the victim and the aftermath of bullying, Adolescence explores the perpetrator's genesis. Both are chilling in their own way—one shows the devastation left behind, the other dissects the making of the devastation itself.
Another compelling comparison is We Need to Talk About Kevin. The film similarly examines how a seemingly ordinary child can grow into a killer. However, it does it with a much more psychological and symbolic approach than the stark realism of Adolescence.
"I Should Have Done More"
In the final episode, the father of the young murderer utters the heartbreaking words: “I should have done more.” These words encapsulate the entire show’s message—guilt, helplessness, and the horrifying realization that something was unfolding right in front of them, yet they never saw it.
One of the series' most powerful aspects is the portrayal of the parents, particularly the father (played with extraordinary depth by Stephen Graham). His performance captures the agony of a parent who, like so many others, believed they were doing everything right.
A Show That Demands Reflection
What happens to the child after the trial? The show refuses to give us that answer because, in the end, it doesn’t matter. Adolescence is not about justice; it is about the process, the countless ramifications of a single violent act, and the deep societal reflections it demands. It is a show designed to be watched, discussed, analyzed, and felt.
In its raw intensity and emotional depth, Adolescence succeeds in its goal—to make us think, to make us question, and most importantly, to make sure we never look away again.
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