10 Perfect Shows & Movies to Watch if You Loved Netflix’s Adolescence

As soon as Netflix released Adolescence, audiences were immediately gripped. Jamie Miller’s situation slowly unravels, and it’s revealed that his opinions about women prompted the murder of another girl. As such, not only was this series completely riveting, it offers a groundbreaking look at today’s youth.

Despite its success, it seems that the series is officially completed and the cast is looking to enjoy a range of new projects. However, there are plenty of films and TV series that tackle the same themes and stories as the hit Netflix series. Thus, fans don’t have to search far and wide to fill the Adolescence-shaped hole in their lives.

A Single Mother Struggles to Control Her Son

We Need to Talk About Kevin

At one point in her life, Eva Khatchadourian was a prestigious travel writer with a zest for life. Now, she spends her days rotting in a dingy apartment and working in a travel agency, all while she visits her son in a maximum security prison. Kevin began showing normal signs of rebellion quite young, but everything changed when he conducted a mass school shooting. In the same sense as Adolescence, We Need to Talk About Kevin doesn’t shy away from discussing the visceral nature of violent crime, but does question whether the young man is a symptom of a much larger problem in society.

Inspired by the chilling 2003 novel, We Need to Talk About Kevin was once considered one of the most provocative films of the 21st century. Kevin’s demeanor is very scary, and the young actor does well to convey such disdain against the world. As such, the audience is forced to wonder where it all went wrong for this troubled young man.

A Dark Secret Is Uncovered in the English Countryside

Glue

Glue is a 2014 crime drama set in a mundane English countryside. When a teenager’s body is found under the wheels of a tractor, his friends are desperate to find out what happened. But in their quest to uncover the truth, they learn that this quaint village harbors a ton of sinister secrets.

Like Adolescence, Glue focuses on how evil and murder can be found in the most unsuspecting environments. The show’s cast are remarkably well-mannered and normal, a lot like Jamie Miller, so fans are confused as to why a heinous crime would occur in such a delightful little area. This is a crime drama that pushes away from the typical inner-city stereotypes and proves that awful things can happen anywhere.

A Couple Is Forced to Confront Their Son’s Wrongdoing

Defending Jacob

Much like Adolescence, Defending Jacob surrounds two parents who are forced to accept that their teenage son may be a murderer. Featuring an all-star cast, including Chris Evans, this series handles its delicate subject matter with impeccable grace. Thus, it’s a must-watch for those who want to enjoy a gritty drama with a complex and ambitious plot.

Admittedly, Defending Jacob is a tad ambiguous, which can be a little annoying at times. Yet, once audiences learn to look past this minor flaw, they will discover a really detailed crime series that aims to take the audience on an emotional rollercoaster. Not to mention, Pine offers a spectacular performance, which proves that he’s so much more than a Marvel star.

A Deceased Child Becomes the Center of a Police Investigation

Broadchurch

When the corpse of a little boy is found washed up on a local beach, a pair of senior detectives are called in to conduct a wider investigation. What seems to be a very clear-cut case transforms into a chilling situation that would crumble any parent. Broadchurch is very similar to Adolescence because it deals with quite a simple crime, but exposes the seedy behavior that is often intertwined with these actions. Complete with a plethora of British and Irish talent, Broadchurch is easily one of the best crime dramas of the 21st century.

The best thing about this series is that it takes a very simple whodunit story and completely turns it on its head. Every character has their side of the story, and it seems that in this small town, anyone could be guilty. Although an American version was produced in 2014, fans are encouraged to delve into the original first.

Three Mothers Are Wrapped Up in a Landmark Case

Toxic Town

Inspired by the Corby toxic waste case, Toxic Town follows a group of mothers who are convinced that pollution has caused their children to suffer severe birth defects. This case was once dubbed the «British Erin Brockovich,» making it an essential watch for those who enjoy conspiracies and true crime dramas. While Adolescence is not exactly inspired by a real-life event, it was inspired by a contemporary news story about a young girl who had been stabbed. Thus, both shows offer a distressing message and proclaim a story that needs to be heard all over the world.

Again, this show is blessed with an outstanding cast, all of whom express the true grit and passion of being a worried mother. Toxic Town may not be the most explosive series of all time, but it places a great focus on the underdog, which is quite compelling. Plus, with just four episodes, it’s a fantastic series to watch in one day.

A Health and Safety Inspector Pushes a Top Chef to the Edge

Boiling Point

Another hit from Stephen Graham, Boiling Point surrounds a top London chef who is struggling to cope with troubles in both his personal and professional life. But when a health and safety inspector turns up unannounced and downgrades his restaurant, the chef explodes in a fit of rage. Thus, the audience and his staff are forced to watch a troubled prodigy spiral out of control.

In a similar sense to Adolescence, this series is presented in one continuous take. Thus, audiences cannot escape the tension and just have to sit back as it builds and builds. On the surface, this series may just look like a traditional cooking drama, but with themes of drug abuse and coercion, Boiling Point is a genre-bending masterpiece.

A Prominent Judge Defends His Criminal Son

Your Honor

Bryan Cranston stars as Michael Desiato, a respected judge who is forced to stand on the other side of the law when his son, Adam, murders a local drug kingpin. Although they aren’t like two peas in a pod, Michael Desiato feels the same anguish and anxiety about his son’s crime as Eddie feels about Jamie’s. Your Honor is a mind-blowing drama that not only allows the audience to take a closer look at the failings of the justice system but also at the obscure nature of family. While Cranston plays the protagonist, this show also features a vast ensemble cast, which really adds some richness to the story.

Your Honor doesn’t exactly break the mold when it comes to crime dramas, but it does offer audiences everything they know and love. Desiato is a very determined father, but he also has a lot of trouble controlling his morals. Another great thing about this series is that the events unravel at a decent pace, meaning that audiences aren’t spoonfed all of the drama.

Investigators Master the Art of Interrogation

Criminal: UK

Criminal: UK is masterfully simple and focuses on a set of criminal investigators as they try to uncover the extent of a criminal’s actions. Since this is an anthology series, each episode tells the story of a different criminal, keeping the audience on their toes at all times. It should be mentioned that this series tackles a wealth of disturbing topics, so it’s not for the faint-hearted.

Even though this show features a host of famous faces, every actor manages to transform into a much more sinister persona. While the show mainly exists within the same four walls, it has the ability to keep fans absolutely hooked. For those who enjoy Adolescence’s clean-cut and raw feel, Criminal: UK is an ideal watch. Thus, this show strips back the special effects and explores the chemistry between a series of amazing actors.

A Swedish Teenager Has Her Life Turned Upside-Down

Quicksand

This compelling Swedish drama is based on a best-selling novel and does a great job of twisting the narrative on women in major crimes. After a mass shooting, Maja is preparing to stand on trial. Although she denies her involvement at first, the jury seeks to find out why she committed the crime rather than whether she did it or not. Quicksand feels so in line with Adolescence because it explores the psychology behind violent crimes. Both Maja and Jamie are guilty on all counts, but those around them are desperate to know what led them to these issues.

Every scene of this series is nail-biting, and the adaptation does well to express the story from Maja’s perspective. Unlike other crime dramas, Quicksand isn’t bothered about the events but prefers to allow audiences to get inside the mind of a killer. Yet, even though audiences know what happened, there’s still a ton of secrets to uncover.

Five Teenagers Get Caught up in a Divisive Case

When They See Us

When They See Us follows five black teenagers from Harlem. After a brutal attack occurs in Central Park, the law is quick to blame these boys, even though they plead innocence. Thus, these young men embark on a tireless journey against a justice system that doesn’t want to protect them. There’s a lot of nuance between Adolescence and When They See Us, but both shows explore the fickleness of youth and how one wrong decision can transform the trajectory of a person’s life.

Tragically, this critically acclaimed Netflix series is based on a true story. This series exposes the flaws in the justice system but also highlights the blatant racism many people face in America today. These young actors are also impeccable and often manage to outshine their older counterparts.