10 Movies To Watch if You Love ‘Adolescence’
Co-created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, the newest in a long line of terrific British Netflix series, Adolescence, has been a huge success across the world. Detailing the aftermath of 13-year-old Jamie’s arrest for the murder of his female classmate, the show has been praised for its inventive filmmaking style, a selection of masterful performances, and, perhaps above all else, its vital discussion of a subject that is desperately important.
Sporting an almost-perfect 99% rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Adolescence has already broken many records and has even caused a political shift in the British government. However, after several weeks on screens, it is now becoming clear that almost everyone has finally completed the show, with the subject matter at its heart leaving some unlikely to seek a rewatch anytime soon. With that in mind, and for those looking for something similar to catch next, here’s a list of 10 movies to watch if you love Adolescence.
10
‘Boiling Point’ (2021)
Directed by Philip Barantini
Four years before they teamed up on Adolescence, Graham and director Philip Barantini produced one of the most breathless one-take movies of all time in Boiling Point. The movie follows Graham’s chef, Andy Jones, as he battles all manner of issues on the busiest day in his restaurant’s calendar.
Nothing can quite prepare a viewer for Boiling Point. A visceral, fast-paced flick that truly captures the frenetic chaos of a professional kitchen, the movie also boasts Graham working overtime in one of the highest acclaimed titles in his catalog. Watching Andy begin to slowly crack under immense pressure, all leading to a powerful final scene, is truly a joy and one many would likely struggle to watch again.
9
‘Lady Bird’ (2017)
Directed by Greta Gerwig
Greta Gerwig‘s solo directorial debut, Lady Bird, follows Saoirse Ronan‘s titular teenager as she fights to get out of her hometown of Sacramento, California. Hampered by a tricky academic experience and a difficult relationship with her mother, can Lady Bird mend bridges before she leaves?
A heartfelt, expertly realized depiction of the mind-boggling, emotional chaos of growing up, Lady Bird is one of the finest coming-of-age movies of the 21st century. For those who loved Adolescence‘s accurate crafting of parent/child relationships but are looking for something lighter to cleanse the palate, this is the perfect movie.
8
‘Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)’ (2014)
Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu
When one thinks of successful one-take movies, it’s hard to look past Alejandro G. Iñárritu‘s Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance). The movie follows Michael Keaton‘s former superhero actor, whose fall from grace sees him desperately trying to revive his career via a Broadway production.
Making fine use of the one-take style, albeit with the movie actually consisting of several long takes seamlessly stitched together, Birdman is a phenomenal example of how an innovative filmmaking style can enhance a narrative. Featuring Keaton at his best, dancing between drama and tragedy with ease, it’s no wonder Birdman went on to win four Oscars, including the coveted Best Picture prize.
7
‘This is England’ (2006)
Directed by Shane Meadows
For those who are fans of Graham’s acting work, This is England is often described as his best. Directed by the genius Shane Meadows, the movie follows young Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) at a particularly impressionable time in his life. Convinced to join a gang of skinheads, Shaun thinks he’s found his family, with the reality of the group’s political beliefs about to spark chaos.
Graham’s ability to touch on the full spectrum of human emotion whilst delivering utterly relatable performances in the most unreliable of scenarios is on great display in Adolescence. In This is England, he perfects it, joined by a stunning ensemble cast for a movie simply everyone must see at least once in their life.
6
‘Boyhood’ (2014)
Directed by Richard Linklater
Growing up can involve tumultuous ups and downs, especially for young men surrounded by a world that often spins too fast for them to catch their breath. For Richard Linklater, that experience was perfectly captured via real means in his unique 2014 movie, Boyhood. Filmed over 12 years and featuring the same cast throughout, Boyhood grows before the audience’s very eyes as he discovers the best and worst life has to offer.
A truly remarkable feat of filmmaking that balances nuanced storytelling with broad ideas, in some ways, Boyhood makes for the perfect partner piece to Adolescence. A technical marvel and a touching tale, Boyhood certainly deserved its enormous critical praise upon release, which led to five Academy Award nominations and even a win in the Best Supporting Actress category for Patricia Arquette.
5
‘Beautiful Boy’ (2018)
Directed by Felix van Groeningen
One of Academy Award nominee Timothée Chalamet‘s most underrated performances, Felix van Groeningen‘s Beautiful Boy follows journalist David Sheff (Steve Carell) as he attempts to help his son through a recovery from a methamphetamine addiction.
Based on the bestselling memoir, “Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction,” by the real David Sheff, Beautiful Boy is a sometimes harrowing and often hopeful depiction of addiction struggles. However, beyond that, it is a detailed and honest look at the relationship between a father and son, particularly one fraught with tragedy, much like in Adolescence.
4
‘1917’ (2019)
Directed by Sam Mendes
To some, 1917 might be the most famous one-take movie of all time. Although, like Birdman, the movie is not actually filmed in one consecutive take and is instead a sequence of longer takes, 1917 still uses the style to immeasurably poignant effect, detailing the story of two British soldiers’ attempts to deliver a message through the horrors of the First World War battlefield.
An overwhelming stroke of genius from a master of his craft in Sam Mendes, 1917 is a touching, action-packed cinematic experience like no other. If fans of Adolescence‘s one-take style are looking for their next watch, 1917 simply must be at the top of the list, with the Academy clearly agreeing as they awarded the movie three Oscars in 2020, as well as seven other nominations.
3
‘Reawakening’ (2024)
Directed by Virginia Gilbert
Episode 3 of Adolescence is widely regarded as the best of the bunch, with some even declaring it the best episode of television of the 2020s so far. Chief among the many reasons some hold this view is the two central turns, with Cooper’s jaw-dropping breakout performance simply nothing without the deft touch of his scene partner, Erin Doherty.
Although still young in her career, Doherty’s best movie to date came just last year with Virginia Gilbert’s Reawakening. Telling the tale of a daughter who went missing and suddenly reappeared a decade later, Reawakening is a compelling tale of grief, loss, and family, all packaged neatly together with a strong set of central performances. Among these is Doherty’s Clare, who proves she has a successful career ahead in both this and Adolescence.
Reawakening
- Release Date
-
September 13, 2024
- Runtime
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90 minutes
2
‘Snatch’ (2000)
Directed by Guy Ritchie
Graham’s on-screen career has now spanned over a quarter of a century, with his first big break coming in Guy Ritchie‘s magnum opus, Snatch. The movie tells the tale of a criminal underworld featuring all manner of lawbreakers, from underhand boxing promoters to violent gangsters. After a priceless diamond is stolen, this world implodes.
A star-studded crime flick featuring the likes of Brad Pitt, Jason Statham, Vinnie Jones, and more, it’s only unsurprising in retrospect that a young Graham could go toe-to-toe with top talent such as this. A fast-paced, laugh-a-minute gangster film with plenty of genre-friendly violence, Snatch is considered one of Ritchie’s best films and a perfect way to begin a journey through Graham’s filmography following Adolescence.
1
‘Broken’ (2012)
Directed by Rufus Norris
One of the most underrated British movies of the past fifteen years, Broken tells the story of a Greek tragedy playing out at the end of an unassuming English suburban street. Three families, each with neighboring lives, suddenly become intertwined by devastating circumstances, culminating in the hearts being ripped from their seemingly normal lives.
Starring the likes of Tim Roth, Cillian Murphy, and Lily James, this harrowing tale pulls no punches in its delivery of a gutting British tragedy and how it affects young people in particular, similar to Adolescence. If fans of the new Netflix series feel they haven’t quite had enough of tears streaming down their face and their joyful soul leaving their body, Broken is the perfect next stop on a tour of traumatic filmmaking.
