I've reached that age where people ask me when I'll get married and have children. I say "never," but I rarely go into the reasoning. And the truth is, I'm worried about what I'm leaving behind for my partner and children. I don't want to bring a new life into this world in crisis, and I don't have the courage to take in a child and give them false hope that the future is bright.
Many people say there's no point in dwelling on it and that we should all just go with the flow. But maybe I'm just too sensitive and resist being so ignorant as to attempt such schemes. Some of these apprehensions were reflected in the harrowing docudrama "The Night Is Dark and Colder Than the Day," which focused on a group of German kids suffering from suicidal thoughts due to growing up during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stars: Ashley Walters, Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper
Meanwhile, the rest has been addressed by "Adolescence." Created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Thorne, with Philip Barantini directing the episodes, Adolescence centers on the Miller family: Eddie, Manda, Lisa, and Jamie, whose lives are turned upside down when Jamie is arrested on suspicion of murder by Detective Inspector Luke and Sergeant Misha. Judging by the behavior of Eddie, Manda, and Lisa, and the way Jamie handles himself as they bombard him with pointed questions, it all seems like a case of mistaken identity.
But as soon as Eddie and Jamie, along with lawyer Paul, enter the interrogation room with Luke and Misha, our expectations are upended and the picture becomes clearer. As the miniseries delves into the motive for Jamie's alleged crime, the deep tentacles of the manosphere become apparent. And by the time the case reaches its climax, and the Millers are confronted with the devastating truth about their idea of family life, the call for collective introspection becomes deafening, and the need for a complete systemic restructuring becomes imperative.
Adolescence is required viewing for everyone. Everyone, from those entering their teens to those about to become grandparents, needs to watch this four-part miniseries for two very different reasons. For those who have never heard of the manosphere and those wretched men who make millions of dollars spreading misogyny and hate, this fictional story is a good gateway to the true villains of modern society.
Yes, it's a fictional narrative, but if you have the fortitude to scroll through the comments on various social media platforms, you'll see the endless stream of sexism being spewed online by young people who don't even know basic math. And believe me when I tell you this: ignorance won't bring you the happiness you dream of. The manosphere exists, and as a parent, foster parent, or grandparent, if you think the child in your family isn't affected by its harmful effects, I'm afraid you need to wake up and take notice.
The reason I want people with developing minds (children, adolescents, and young adults) to watch Adolescence is a little different from the reason I want adults to watch the miniseries. Speaking from personal experience, and at the risk of sounding like an old man, I think there's a concerted effort to eliminate the fear of consequences for "daring" or "controversial" actions. Young people seem to have stopped caring not only about their mental well-being, but also about that of their loved ones. They're convinced they have "main character energy" while everyone else acts like they're non-playable characters.
Therefore, it's somehow okay to act violently and not care about the physical or psychological pain this causes their fellow human beings. And I think the creators of the miniseries do an impeccable job of showing these disoriented individuals why they need to live their lives with empathy. They show that figures like Andrew Tate or Elvish Yadav won't care if you've followed their values and shown the feminists who's boss. They won't take responsibility for your mistakes. They'll continue to profit off the misery and insecurities of children growing up in these tumultuous times, as they head toward an increasingly bleak future.
In addition to the aforementioned aspects, Adolescence works on many other levels. The writers consider capitalism, the failings of law enforcement, the irresponsible behavior of teachers in educational institutions, and society's general lack of concern for the future they will leave for future generations to illustrate why children act so erratically. Although the narrative centers on a murder, they choose to generate suspense and self-examination by investigating the motive rather than turning it into a whodunit, which is a smart decision.
By not searching for clues, the mind is immersed in the complex character study and wondering what influence the current generation of children is having. The story's immersion is enhanced by the single-take visual narrative style. Graham and Barantini already did this with Boiling Point. Therefore, I'm not surprised Barantini did it again. I've complained before about the overuse of the single-take trick, but in this miniseries, firstly, it's impeccably executed, and secondly, it allows the viewer to immerse themselves in the tension and drama that emanates from every moment of each episode. The entire crew deserves a huge round of applause for their work.
The cast of Adolescence is impeccable. Stephen Graham is splendid. Ashley Walters is stoic. Erin Doherty displays vulnerability and strength with great skill. Faye Marsay is excellent. Christine Tremarco will break your heart. Amelie Pease is brilliant, despite her limited screen time. Mark Stanley, Jo Hartley, Kaine Davis, Lewis Pemberton, Amari Bacchus, Fatima Bojang, and the rest of the supporting cast are incredible. But I have to give credit to Owen Cooper for his absolutely diabolical and heartbreaking performance.
He made me question my ability to judge people. The range he displays in the first and third episodes is truly mind-blowing. According to his IMDb page, this is his acting debut. How can you pull that off in your acting debut? I've seen promising young stars and actors enter this world who don't even come close to Cooper's level. And here I am, I'd never heard of this guy, and I can't stop praising him. The entire miniseries features some of the best performances of the year; there's no doubt about it. However, Owen Cooper stands above the rest and deserves all the praise he receives.
Adolescence has been billed as a psychological crime drama, but I think it belongs in the horror category because I was deeply scared after watching it. The miniseries has done a commendable job of addressing the threat of the manosphere and instilling fear in young people who idolize the worst of the worst. While the reach and influence of some of the most significant figures in that cult has only been hinted at, the reality is far worse.
Without naming names, some of these individuals have received endorsements from politicians and celebrities. Some have become lawmakers. Some are so popular that they can paralyze entire cities. And their every hallmark is linked to misogyny. Seeing all this makes you feel powerless, and it seems pointless to ask people to be progressive and improve. However, for the sake of future generations, I dare to hope that the manosphere will one day be roundly rejected and that all members of this wretched "religion" will be severely punished for their crimes.
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