In filmmaking, the one-shot take is often a “peak of the mountain” creative technique used by directors to immerse the audience into their world. Martin Scorsese used it in Goodfellas. Paul Thomas Anderson in Boogie Nights. And it seems hard enough to have every single, little thing go off without a hitch for a one-shot take that’s a few minutes long. However, the creative team behind the new Netflix mini-series Adolescence aren’t just doing a singular one-take scene. They’re doing four, one-hour long, one-take episodes.
Reuniting after working on their tension filled one-shot film, Boiling Point, actor and co-writer Stephen Graham and director Philip Barantini have teamed up with acclaimed writer Jack Thorne, for a mini-series that follows a 13-year-old boy, Jamie (Owen Cooper) who is accused of murdering a classmate. Each episode follows a central character and due process that takes place after a horrific event like this – the initial arrest and interrogation, interviewing children at the school of the suspect and victim, the therapy session to create a psychological profile for a judge, and the brutal impact that is taking on the families involved.
Adolescence explosively begins its one-shot mastery with Jamie’s arrest at 6am the morning after the murder, as assault rifle armed police bash down the family home door, much to the confusion of Jamie’s father, Eddie (Graham), who in real time, tries to make any sense of what is unfolding. The first truly impressive instance of technicality behind these episodes is when Jamie is transported in a police van, from his house to the police station, on busy British roads, with no cuts or editing trickery whatsoever. The seamless transition between locations, while have the camera move around the conversation between Jamie and D.I. Bascombe (Ashley Walters) not only progresses the story and ramps the tension, but also plays out in real time, giving a sense of authenticity to the situation.
From there, as Adolescence plays out over its four, one-shot episodes, consistently proves that this style of filmmaking is far from a gimmick, but serves more in favour of the story, allowing the characters to experience a full spectrum of emotions in a far more visceral way, rather than in a manufactured for television way.
The brutality of the emotions explored are brought to life by the exceptional performances. Stephen Graham, who time and time again proves that he is one of the best actors working today, brings an incredible amount of humanity to a father who must deal with the shocking revelation of the accusation about his son. As the camera lingers on Eddie’s face as his 13-year-old son is strip searched by police, or interrogated by the detectives, the sheer pain in Graham’s eyes says so much more than any words could say, and that is the power he holds in this performance. Other acting standouts who brought that authenticity to the show are Ashley Walters as D.I. Bascombe, who leads the series’ second episode, plus Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty who star in the two-hander third episode in which Jamie has his psychological review session with Doherty’s therapist character.
Adolescence isn’t just an emotionally tense murder mystery, even though that is the foundation of the premise. Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham’s scripts explore a hauntingly timely handful of themes that will certainly make for uncomfortable, but necessary, viewing. The densely layered conversations that take place throughout the show breakdown the impact of modern internet culture for young men. The “manosphere” and the toxicity of virtual role models like Andrew Tate, and their blatant misogyny are the thesis’ being discussed. The hive minded attitude of young men who believe they can force women to be their toys ultimately, and the impact of that then extends far beyond the computer screen, is a horrifying and upsetting depiction of a sad reality. But it’s not just the critique of this culture from Thorne and Graham that thematically fills the show, it is also a fascinating dissection of the role parents can play in making sure their children aren’t exposed to this content or are they bad parents for allowing their children the freedom to find these things. Adolescence isn’t just a critique or cautionary tale, but it’s also a guilt-ridden plea to stop this toxicity from reaching children.
Within minutes of the first episode of Adolescence, the one-shot style of filmmaking loses any concern of just being a technical gimmick, rather being used to ramp up the tension while simultaneously allowing authentic emotions play out in real time – a rarity for time restricted television. Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham’s hauntingly timely story, investigating confronting and relevant themes, is wrapped in a thrilling murder mystery, brought to life by outstanding performances across the board.
All 4 episodes of Adolescence are streaming on Netflix from March 13.
