One of Netflix‘s most successful and popular shows of the year, Adolescence, is currently being trolled in the UK. Exploring the themes of modern masculinity, digital radicalisation and adolescence, the British drama has gained just as much criticism as appreciation. While many have applauded the deep dive it took into the current digital landscape for young men and women and how it shapes their thoughts of acceptance and being, others have picked up various themes to troll the drama on.
Race-swapping accusations
Adolescence tells the story of a 13-year-old British young man, Jamie Miller, who is arrested for murdering a schoolmate. While the instances shown in the show were actually representative of the many cases that have recently come to the limelight, critics of the show were upset about the family being based in Britain. They claim that the creators of the show race-swapped the characters upon which the show is purportedly based. People on X have been commenting on the same with statements such as “… and because you’re white and from a middle-class family, you will be put on the sex offenders register, for life” and “Adolescence: Propaganda to Break the Spirit of White Boys”
One of the authors of the show, Jack Thorne, commented on the same to The Sun, saying, “They’ve claimed that Stephen [Graham] and I based it on a story and so they’re saying that we race-swapped it, because we were basically here and then ended up there, and everything else, and nothing is further from the truth.”
Government propaganda drama
Many have been terming the drama as propaganda meant to catalyze the government’s views on social media, which it advocates, should have more restrictions. “When you vote, don’t forget to take your proof of having watched Adolescence…but not your Id, obvs” wrote an X user.
Misogyny and digital radicalization
The show delves into the “manosphere” and portrays how toxic it is in real-time and digital space. Groups on social media have been trolling the show’s “demonization” of young men and the digital landscape, accusing it of portraying something absolutely off the reality. “As a lesson in real-life social relationships, it is next to useless because it is MADE UP or at best wildly exaggerated and twisted from reality,” commented a user on X, “Adolescence is a shifty work of social engineering based on a total inversion of the truth,” added another.
Casting errors
Some social media criticisms are also based on the casting of 15-year-old Owen Cooper to play the role of 13-year-old Jamie Miller. They have discussed the impact it makes on young men like him to portray situations of murder and investigations. “”Adolescence” warns about a teen radicalized by toxic content while casting a 15-year-old to use sexually explicit language and portray misogynistic behaviour. Does anyone else see the irony? ” wrote a user on X.
