Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Don't miss these
Noah Wyle as Dr. Michael 'Robbie' Robinavitch in The Pitt season 2
Streaming Services The Pitt, HIM, Euphoria season 3, and more of the best best new shows and movies to watch this weekend
Zendaya as Rue driving a car in Euphoria season 3.
Streaming Services 6 best new shows and movies on streaming this week, including Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney Plus
One Piece
Netflix The 25 best shows on Netflix to watch in 2026
Dan Da Dan season 2: Okarun and Momo getting ready for a fight during Dan Da Dan season 1 episode 8.
Anime Shows Best anime on Netflix: 30 shows to stream in 2026
Cillian Murphy as Tommy in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.
Movies The 25 best movies on Netflix to watch right now
Charles Melton in Beef season 2
Streaming Services 3 best new to Netflix shows you need to stream this weekend (April 17–April 19)
Walton Goggins as the Ghoul in Fallout season 2
TV The 25 best shows on Amazon Prime Video to watch right now
Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles in Sonic 3
Amazon Prime Video The 25 best movies on Prime Video to watch right now
Karl Urban as Billy Butcher in The Boys season 5.
Streaming Services The 6 best new shows and movies streaming this week on Prime Video, Netflix, Disney Plus, and more (April 7–April 12)
Jacob Elordi as the Creature in Frankenstein
Horror Movies The 25 best Netflix horror movies to watch right now
Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder in Hacks season 5.
Streaming Services Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord, Hacks season 5, Thrash, and more are among this week's best new shows and movies.
Ryan Gosling as Court Gentry in The Gray Man.
Thriller Movies The 25 best Netflix thrillers to watch right now
David Lynch as Gordon Cole and Laura Dern as Diane in Twin Peaks: The Return.
Streaming Services The 25 best shows on Paramount Plus to watch right now
Chris Hemsworth as Mike in Crime 101
Streaming Services 6 new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and more (April 3–April 5)
Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon season 3
TV The 30 best shows on HBO Max to watch right now
  1. Entertainment
  2. TV
  3. Drama Shows
  4. Adolescence

Viewers are raving about Stephen Graham's hard-hitting new Netflix crime drama with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score: "Some of the best TV I've ever seen"

News
By Mireia Mullor published 17 March 2025

This four-episode show is striking a chord with Netflix viewers

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Adolescence
(Image credit: Netflix)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
0
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Every once in a while, Netflix releases a miniseries without much fanfare, and it's so good it ends up becoming a streaming hit by its own merits. It happened with Baby Reindeer last year, and now it's happening with the harrowing drama Adolescence, starring Stephen Graham and The Crown star Erin Doherty.

The four-episode series focuses on a 13-year-old boy who is accused of the murder of a classmate. His family, his therapist, and the detective in charge of the case try to find out what really happened, but the answers are far from simple.

Released on March 13, Adolescence sits at an impressive 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and it seems to be striking a chord with viewers all around the world.

Article continues below
You may like
  • Cillian Murphy as Tommy in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. The 25 best movies on Netflix to watch right now
  • One Piece The 25 best shows on Netflix to watch in 2026
  • For All Mankind The 25 best shows on Apple TV to watch right now

"I just finished adolescence on netflix and f***ing hell. Everyone on that show needs an Emmy, how could they manage to act out a storyline like that all in one continuous shot it’s insane. Episodes 3 and 4 might be some of the best TV I’ve ever seen", wrote one user on X.

"Adolescence really leans into the normality of it all. The mum and dad are so normal, it's a normal, average high school. The kid is someone who could be in your son or daughter's class. It is so brilliantly undramatic and that's what makes it so brilliant," argued another viewer.

Many viewers are praising the main cast's performances, which includes a stunning debut for Owen Cooper, who plays the boy at the center of the criminal case. "Still thinking about fact that this was Owen Cooper's FIRST role in life and he managed to deliver one of the best performances this year," noted another user.

"Finished #Adolescence, what an incredible show. We genuinely do not talk enough about the greatness of Stephen Graham. This final scene had me bawling," said a viewer.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

"Adolescence is utterly essential viewing. It’s a technical masterpiece - the one shot technique is impeccable - but beyond that, the story it tells? My god. It’s haunting and so, so timely. This is where art is invaluable. Stephen Graham is a national treasure," commented another viewer.

These are only some of the many enthusiastic reactions the show has received since it was released on Netflix a few days ago. As viewers keep tuning in for the four-part series, Adolescence might become one of the biggest streaming hits of the year so far.

Actor Stephen Graham developed the story alongside Jack Thorne, with Philip Barantini directing all the episodes, which were filmed in one continuous shot.

Adolescence is now available to stream on Netflix. For more, check out our list of the best Netflix movies and the best Netflix shows to add to your streaming queue right now.

CATEGORIES
Netflix Streaming Services
Mireia Mullor
Mireia Mullor
Social Links Navigation
Contributing Writer

Mireia is a UK-based culture journalist and critic. She previously worked as Deputy Movies Editor at Digital Spy, and her work as a freelance writer has appeared in WeLoveCinema and Spanish magazines Fotogramas, Esquire, and Elle. She is also a published author, having written a book about Studio Ghibli's 'Kiki's Delivery Service' in 2023. Talking about anime and musicals is the best way to grab her attention.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Cillian Murphy as Tommy in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.
Movies The 25 best movies on Netflix to watch right now
 
 
One Piece
Netflix The 25 best shows on Netflix to watch in 2026
 
 
For All Mankind
Apple TV Plus The 25 best shows on Apple TV to watch right now
 
 
Ryan Gosling as Court Gentry in The Gray Man.
Thriller Movies The 25 best Netflix thrillers to watch right now
 
 
Barry Keoghan as Duke Shelby walking in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man
Crime Movies Netflix's new Peaky Blinders movie debuts to rave reviews and a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score
 
 
Zendaya as Rue driving a car in Euphoria season 3.
Streaming Services 6 best new shows and movies on streaming this week, including Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney Plus
 
 
Latest in Drama Shows
Lev and Yara
Drama Shows The Last of Us season 3's latest casting hints at a chunkier backstory for Yara and Lev
 
 
Jamie Bell as Niall and Richard Gadd as Ruben in Half Man
Drama Shows Baby Reindeer creator's upcoming show gets new look featuring his drastic physical change
 
 
Rachel Weisz as M. in erotic thriller Vladimir
Drama Shows Rachel Weisz's new Netflix thriller is one of the streamer's biggest flops of the year so far
 
 
Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby riding a horse in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man
Crime Shows Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man director explains how the Netflix movie differs from the show
 
 
Peaky Blinders – one of the best Netflix shows
Drama Shows The Peaky Blinders spin-off show has started filming, with leaked set pictures ushering the franchise into a new era
 
 
Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan in Beef season 2
Drama Shows Season 2 of hit Netflix show with 98% Rotten Tomatoes score unveils its White Lotus-esque first trailer
 
 
Latest in News
Mother 3 protagonist Lucas with a snake
RPGs EarthBound creator says Mother 3 is still a cutting-edge RPG, even as fans continue to wait for an official translation
 
 
Lando helmet replica from Star Wars, beside a Stormtrooper suit
Toys & Collectibles I went hands-on with the worst disguise in all of Star Wars
 
 
A central shot of the Meta Quest 3S on a white surface
VR The cost of the Meta Quest 3 and 3S is rising, and that plays right into Valve's hands
 
 
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag artwork showing Kenway with a group of pirates
Assassin's Creed Ubisoft confirms Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced reveal showcase
 
 
Starfield Shattered Space trailer screenshot showing an alien planet with deep red skies and blue crystal-like rocky formations surrounding a glowing man
RPGs Starfield "was the best-selling video game of the week" in US for first time in nearly 3 years, reports analyst
 
 
Hades 2
Roguelike Games They weren't "distributed on Steam," but Hades 2 lead who oversaw that true ending change says myths are also "told and retold" by design
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Yennefer of Vengerberg in the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
    1
    10 Best Western RPGs to play in 2026
  2. 2
    Slay the Spire 2 won't get an endless mode like Balatro because it limits "infinite strategies," but creator says "maybe a modder will think of a way to make it work"
  3. 3
    After over 1,000 hours in Baldur's Gate 3, I'm scared to hear Larian say Divinity might be an even bigger RPG: "There is no limitation anymore on how big an act can be"
  4. 4
    Commodore is now blocking custom C64 Ultimate firmware, but it's exploring ways to balance "user freedom with user protection"
  5. 5
    Hideo Kojima flexes on NASA, shows Death Stranding 2 players traveled further than the Artemis 2 mission in the same time span

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...