Netflix’s ‘Adolescence’ Pushes Boundaries with One-Take Crime Drama

The series follows the arrest and trial of a 13-year-old boy, using continuous-shot episodes to immerse viewers in its harrowing story.

Each of the four episodes is filmed in a single continuous take, a technique designed to heighten the intensity and realism of the story.
The series begins with the arrest of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, played by newcomer Owen Cooper, for the murder of a young girl, unraveling over months leading to his trial.
Stephen Graham, who co-created the series, also stars as Jamie’s father, portraying a caring but conflicted parent navigating the fallout of his son’s arrest.
Director Philip Barantini and cinematographer Matthew Lewis meticulously choreographed the one-shot approach, requiring weeks of rehearsals and multiple takes per episode.
The show explores societal issues like youth violence, digital isolation, and the challenges of parenting teenagers, leaving audiences with thought-provoking questions rather than easy answers.