Adolescence [Netflix] *Spoilers*

The Black Oil

Good old British drama, eh? Popped up because Stephen Graham's in it, not the only Boiling Point connection. Arrives March 13th.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk5OxqtpBR4

Delta2113

I watched the 4 episodes yesterday - very good.

tritriagain

Excellent. Great performances throughout. The young actor is exceptional and Stephen Graham is his usual brilliant self. Very moving and a sad reflection on the problems facing the modern youth.

Sandz066

I had a 4 hour train journey yesterday so watched it all, disturbing and superb in equal parts. Acting performances were incredible especially the actor playing Jamie.

Unearthly

Amazing show. Stephen Graham puts in one of his best performances.

Heckler

Great TV. Gotta give it to the brits. they do great drama. Stephen Graham is one of the finest actors working today. Owen Cooper was a revelation. Episode 3 was amazing.

JP Liz V1

Jamie actor Owen Cooper is outstanding

PTH2009

Didn't realise it was so short and a little disappointed in the length but I did enjoy it. Acting was very good

joinme

Brilliant series. Amazing acting, but Erin Doherty as the child psychologist in episode 3, simply outstanding.

Technically brilliant too, each episode filmed in one take.

The realism is almost too much to take at times.

ShagNastii

Absolutely wonderful. Every actor was flawless. I'd echo episode 3 being a real stand out.

The one shot direction really puts you in the centre of the scene and harvests tension up to 11.

plodder

I watched the first episode last night. The realtime hyper realism, acting and camera work are astonishing. I questioned it a little at the CCTV, asking could this little kid really have done that? But, then you think of the Ana Kriégel case here. I think this is going to be very affecting for a lot of people in this country.

rob316

Astonishing television. 10/10

It's so uncomfortable to watch, I loved it.

Graham as ever top of his game but the lad playing Jamie stole it for me.

bodhrandude

A gripping series and a rising actor in Owen Cooper and Stephen Graham as always, I also really enjoyed episode 3 with the child psychologist.

trashcan

I watched the first episode tonight, and I thought it was very good. Anything with Stephen Graham in it is usually good. I also like the “Boiling point” style of filming. However, one thing jarred with me. They never asked who the boy was supposed to have murdered. Surely in the circumstances that’s the first thing you’d want to know ? I couldn’t help feeling it was written that way for dramatic purposes, so they could have a big reveal during the interview scene. Which is all very well, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of credibility. I just didn’t believe that the Dad wouldn’t be demanding to know the details from the off. I’ll watch the remainder, and hopefully now that’s out of the way the rest of it won’t have any similar issues.

FortuneChip

Thought it was excellent from start to finish.

Superbly acted, with a level of care given to all characters to help it feel more real. There's just a maturity throughout, no needless sensationalism, no magic revelations or convenient bow to tie it all up. It also really shines a light on some very serious societal issues without preachy about right and wrong.

Loved it, fuelled a deep conversation long after it ended.

Its been said before, it will be again, following Stephen Graham for as long back as This Is England, even longer. He's an absolute force.

Island Voter

Best tv show i have seen since Chernobyl. Crazy good.

fritzelly

Just finished it - the episodes flew by

Got rather emotional at the end which wouldn't normally be my norm

rob316

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123272219#Comment_123272219

It just felt real and thats what you always get with Graham, no one can do that genuine anguish like him. Put him in a show sitting on a chair watching paint dry and I'd watch it and it would be good.

If anyone hasn't see the The Virtues with him, its probably his best work.

LowOdour

Are there any parents in the thread here? Do you have a son in the 12-13 age range, and would you be tempted to sit with them and watch this?

Would be very tempted to sit with my son and watch it before he goes to secondary school

fritzelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123276185#Comment_123276185

Someone on X (Netflix) commented on why 15 rating and it should have been 12/13

LowOdour

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123276196#Comment_123276196

Iinteresting- though I think the show would require a parent watching it first before watching it with a child. Can understand why the 15 rating

Mars Bar

I don't know what to make it the CCTV guy in episode 3. Was he supposed to create that level of discomfort that I felt?!

ShagNastii

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123276836#Comment_123276836

I think the overall show is a bit of a commentary on the view of men to women.

The same way the whole episode showed how the psychologist felt during the many different interactions with the child. Likewise we get vibes of interaction she has with other men (like creepy CCTV guy). She a bit of an everywomen character.

I've already seen so many deepdives on the show and all are fairly on the button regarding their synopsis. Definitely worth seeking out.

JP Liz V1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123276185#Comment_123276185

I think it should be shown in schools, in secondary schools and high schools, compulsory viewing

sydthebeat

Can't believe this hasn't more posts yet.

This is an important show which I think every parent should see.

I was in a mess after the final scene, and I'm still thinking about the whole thing

Frost Spice

@sydthebeat

Maybe because it looks TOO heartbreaking. I'm not sure I can bring myself to watch it. Crikey, poor auld Steve Graham - will he ever be in a comedy? 🥹

Cork Lass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123277319#Comment_123277319

I said exactly this to my husband after we finished watching it. It’s sadly a sign of the times we are living in and made me glad to have adult children who mostly escaped the negative consequences of social media. I found myself almost in tears several times throughout and the realism of the way it was filmed made it even more emotional. Everybody needs to watch this and learn from it. Superb acting too especially from Stephen and the young lad, Owen - he has some career ahead of him.

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123277340#Comment_123277340

Every seen code 404?

Fair enough he plays the straight guy, but it is a straight up comedy.

As for this show being too heartbreaking, well it runs the gauntlet of most emotions, even humour (the scene with the daughter in the van).

I'm surprised it hasn't more posts here because it seems to be extremely popular, and it's being talked about on many day time TV shows

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123277335#Comment_123277335

Incredible piece of television and I agree with you, the message underlying the story is an important one.

My own notion of what parenthood is? Is that we are laying a foundation. We imbue our kids with a sense of morality. With the tools recognise right from wrong and that we hope when the time comes? That they make the right choices.

The premise underlying this story, that someone else is warping that morality and responsibility is terrifying.

But, all too many of us don't know what our kids get up to online or just how affected their thinking is.

The most important and rewarding job of my life has been fatherhood. My son is 21 in a couple of weeks and despite some rough times? I think he is already a wonderful man. We were lucky with the people in our lives, from school, to family and others.

Spoiler Warning

That final scene, where Stephen Graham tucks in the teddy, says sorry and breaks down?

Well, that absolutely wrecked me. My son & I watched it together and we both had a sob and a hug after it.

4 hours of absolutely incredible television. Both in its technical achievement and in the story it tells. Episode 3, especially given it's the young actor's 1st role? Is a tour de force, both Cooper & Doherty were incredible.

To those asking if they should watch it with their adolescent sons? Yes, if nothing else? It may start a conversation.

Frost Spice

I think I'll watch it but I know I'll be in absolute fking ribbons. Graham knows how to crush you emotionally. I remember about 20 minutes into The Virtues I was shook.

From the bits I've read about it, it reminds me of what my godson endured before his parents took him out of that school. 😪

Interesting to see Brad Pitt involved. I guess he and Stephen might be pals since Snatch.

FrancieBrady

Incredible show on many levels.

Shout out to the girl who played the sister. A difficult part to pitch and play and she was excellent.