Sun Mar 23 08:49:02 UTC 2025: ## Netflix’s “Adolescence”: A Gripping Crime Drama Exploring Docility and Control
**London, UK** – Netflix’s new British crime drama miniseries, *Adolescence*, is generating significant buzz, praised as a “technical masterclass” and “peak television.” The show, shot in single, continuous takes, follows the investigation into the murder committed by a 13-year-old boy, Jamie.
The first episode plunges viewers into the sterile, procedural world of the police investigation, highlighting the cold, calculated demeanor of the officers involved. The author, Anas Arif, draws parallels to Michel Foucault’s theories on docility, arguing that the characters’ behavior reflects a system of control where compliance is internalized.
Subsequent episodes expand on this theme, examining the dynamics of docility in a school and a children’s mental health facility. While initially appearing chaotic, these institutions reveal underlying structures of control and obedience. The show challenges Foucault’s theories by showcasing instances where the expected docile behavior is subverted, particularly among students who initially resist authority.
The third episode, considered a narrative feat, delves into the psychological factors contributing to Jamie’s actions. His conversations with a psychologist expose the influence of online misogyny and incel culture, highlighting how societal structures can shape individual behavior, even leading to violence.
The final episode shifts focus to Jamie’s family, questioning the role of inherited violence and the parents’ failure to truly see their son. The episode culminates with a powerful exploration of how societal pressures and unchecked masculinity contribute to the cycle of violence.
Arif concludes that *Adolescence* is not merely a crime drama but a powerful exploration of societal control and the impact of surveillance. The show’s unique filming style, itself a form of control, mirrors the themes it critiques, leaving the viewer complicit in the act of watching and questioning the nature of knowledge and power.
First Piper 