Hey, have you watched Adolescence on Netflix yet? Adolescence is without a doubt one of the most intense shows of 2025, and it has already taken the top spot as the platform’s most popular series. Trust me, this British crime drama will captivate you from the start and will not let go. What makes it so special? Every episode is shot in a single continuous take—no cuts—so you feel like you’re right there in the pandemonium. Let’s look at what makes Netflix Adolescence so compelling, particularly its jaw-dropping finale.
A Shocking Start That Hooks You Instantly
Police burst into a quiet home in a northern English town, storming the bedroom of 13-year-old Jamie Miller (played by newcomer Owen Cooper). He’s accused of stabbing his classmate, Katie, to death. That’s how Adolescence kicks off, and it’s a punch to the gut. Co-creator Stephen Graham, who also stars as Jamie’s dad, Eddie, brings raw emotion to the screen as the family—mom Manda (Christine Tremarco) and sister Lisa (Amelie Pease)—reels from the arrest.
The first episode throws you into Jamie’s entry into the justice system, while the second digs into the investigation. Detectives scramble to find the murder weapon and sift through social media clues to figure out what really happened between Jamie and Katie. It’s tense, it’s real, and it keeps you guessing.
The Big Question: Did Jamie Really Kill Katie?
Here’s where things get wild. By the end of Episode 1, CCTV footage drops a bombshell—Jamie’s caught on camera stabbing Katie seven times in a parking lot. Crazy, right? But even after seeing it, Jamie swears he didn’t do it. Stephen Graham told Tudum he wanted us viewers to feel the same shock and disbelief as Eddie when that tape plays. It’s a gut-wrenching moment that sticks with you.
Fast forward to Episode 4, and the truth finally spills out. Thirteen months after his arrest, on Eddie’s 50th birthday, Jamie calls his dad and admits he’s pleading guilty. Co-writer Jack Thorne says this is when Jamie owns up to his actions and starts boxing up his emotions. But how did he get there? The story culminates in Episode 3, where Erin Doherty’s character, psychologist Briony Ariston, engages him in a profound one-on-one conversation. The hour-long conversation about masculinity and online hate is a transformative experience that will leave you speechless.
Why did Jamie Miller kill Katie?
So, why did Jamie kill Katie? It’s not just one thing—it’s a messy mix of low self-esteem, bullying, and toxic online influences. Jamie tells Briony it started when a topless photo of Katie got passed around on Snapchat. He asked her out, hoping to connect, but she shot him down and mocked him with emojis. The final blow came when Katie publicly referred to him as a “incel” on Instagram. That public humiliation, paired with his exposure to misogynistic “manosphere” content online, pushed him over the edge.
The show’s creators say Adolescence was inspired by the UK’s knife-crime crisis and the growing impact of incel culture—those guys who blame women and society for their romantic flops. Graham revealed to Vanity Fair that he was unaware of the manosphere until Thorne’s explanation, which completely enlightened him. At Spiky TV, we believe this angle sets the series apart—it’s not just a crime story, but also a warning about the dangers lurking online.
What Happens to Jamie and His Family?
The ending does not show his trial, but his guilty plea points to a life sentence. The Millers handle the consequences in Episode 4. Although Eddie is against it and Lisa thinks it will just make things worse, moving away sounds great. Following Jamie’s confession, Eddie and Manda struggle with guilt—Manda wonders if they missed signals of his fury or should have checked his screen time, while Eddie can’t get rid of the CCTV image.
The last scene? It’s a tearjerker. Eddie steps into Jamie’s room, unchanged since the arrest, and collapses on his son’s bed. He whispers an apology to Jamie’s teddy bear, saying, “I’m sorry, son, I should’ve done better.” Graham says they always planned to end it there—right back where the nightmare started.
Why Should You Stream Adolescence?
Netflix Adolescence offers a bold and direct portrayal of youth, rage, and the digital age. The single-shot style, killer performances (shoutout to Owen Cooper!), and real-world issues make it unforgettable. Whether you’re into thrillers or just love a good story, Spiky TV reckons this one’s worth your weekend binge. It’s streaming on Netflix now, so grab your popcorn and get ready for a wild ride.
What do you think—are you going to give it a watch? Let me know!
Must Read: Is Netflix’s Adolescence Based on a True Story?
