This article contains spoilers.
The Netflix TV series, Adolescence, premiered on March 13, 2025 and has already been stirring up big conversations. This limited series, created by Steven Graham and Jack Thorne, focuses on a seemingly sweet 13-year-old boy Jamie who is arrested on the suspicion of killing his classmate with a kitchen knife. Now, one look at Jamie with his little freckled and fear of needles, and you’re already thinking he’s innocent, but soon viewers are let into Jamies distributing psych. What’s even more disturbing is the real world inspiration this show was created from.
As the viewers (and police) dive deeper and deeper into Jamie’s motives and surroundings, they end up at his school. It’s clear from the start that this school and these children are wild: nobody is listening to any authority figure, people are constantly getting teased and bullied and everyone is on their phone 24/7.
Social media plays a big role in Adolescence, it’s where Jamie connects with friends, where he gets bullied by other students and where he has unlimited access to the Manosphere.
An Introduction to The Manosphere
So what is this elusive Manosphere? The Manosphere refers to a self-titled group otherwise known as ‘incels’ or involuntarily celibate. They’re a subculture based on ideas of misogyny and anti-feminist rhetoric. Basically they think that men’s violence against women is justified and that men are the ones who are truly oppressed. INSANE right?
At the forefront of this movement, the leader of the Intel movement is Andrew Tate. You’ve probably have heard of him before via his large and controversial social media platforms. Tate frequents places like Tik Tok and Youtube, spaces that are extremely popular for young boys, and spreads his messages of misogyny. Tate’s Youtube, Tik Tok and Facebook have all been banned, yet his messages still spread through reposters. He is currently facing charges for rape and human trafficking in Romania.
In Adolescence, we don’t really see Jamie exhibiting or subscribing to these Intel ideas at first. While being questioned by the police, Jamie continues to explain that he’s not apart of these groups and doesn’t believe in their ideologies. It isn’t until episode three until we see his true colors.
In this episode, Jamie is being held in a children’s mental health facility until his court hearing. The entire 50 minute episode takes place within one conversation between Jamie and a psychologist. The psychologist, played by Erin Dougherty, continues to push Jamie further and further with questions until he snaps — throwing chairs and screaming. This is where the audience realizes just how violent Jamie can be, and Jamie realizes it too. He slowly reveals his dark descent into the Manosphere.
Adolescence as a Teacher
As terrifying (yet fascinating) Adolescence is, the limited series can also act as a teachers. Showing the dark sides of masculinity and societal pressures, it gives us lessons in masculinity and parenting. It begs us to change our views on what a man is suppose to be and also recognizes the dangers that social media holds for young teens.
Ultimately viewers are left shocked, wondering how such a sweet boy could do such horrible things but that’s kind of the point. That kids as young as 10 or 13 have access to women-hating rhetoric are are being influenced by it. The show also offers society a warning and tells us to take action, teaching young boys about healthy masculinity and healthy relationships with their own emotions.
Have you seen Adolescents? Tell us what you think by tagging us @VALLEYmag on X!
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