The camera opens. With no cuts, viewers are placed in the reality of a 13-year-old boy arrested and accused of murdering his classmate. The first long take of Adolescence shows two things: a destroyed family and a kid with the weight of an accusation hanging over his head.

Adolescence isn’t the kind of show that makes you guess who did it. In fact, the show tells us early on that Jamie Miller did kill Katie Leonard. The real question is why. Why would Jamie do this to an innocent girl?

Created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, Adolescence follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is accused of murdering his classmate, Katie Leonard. The acting by Owen Cooper (Jamie) and Stephen Graham (Jamie’s father) is outstanding. Their dialogue and emotional delivery are nearly flawless — especially Cooper’s. Each episode is filmed in one continuous shot, which heightens the tension and pulls you into the story.

My favorite episode is Episode 3, particularly the conversation between Jamie and the psychologist. It felt like I was eavesdropping on a real conversation rather than watching a scripted show. The series makes you feel like you’re in the room, experiencing everything firsthand. It also dives into the realities of bullying and teenage thought. The school environment, rebellious attitudes, and social-media pressure mirror society almost perfectly.

One drawback is the pacing. Some episodes feel rushed, while others drag, making the series uneven. Still, I’d recommend it to fans of crime and thriller shows — with a warning. Adolescence tackles deep, controversial topics that may not sit well with everyone. Even though parts are disturbing, the show remains fascinating and thought-provoking.

The series also raises tough questions: How well do parents really know what their kids are going through? How well do we know our peers? Adolescence delivers an unsettling yet realistic look at what it means to grow up today. It reminds us that life rarely gives us all the answers — and sometimes, that’s the point.