Adolescence. Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller in Adolescence. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2024
Courtesy of Netflix
Adolescence is by far one of Netflix’s most harrowing releases of 2025. Filmed in a single continuous shot, the No. 1 series pulls viewers into the unraveling world of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is accused of murdering his classmate, Katie.
Directed by Philip Barantini, the show begins with police storming into the bedroom of 13-year-old Jamie (Owen Cooper) in a northern English town, arresting him on suspicion of stabbing his classmate, Katie, to death. Co-creator Stephen Graham stars as Jamie’s father, Eddie, whose family is devastated by the shocking allegations.
ForbesIs Netflix’s ‘Adolescence’ A True Story? Here’s What Inspired The Hit Crime DramaBy Monica MercuriWhile the first episode centers on Jamie’s arrest and entry into the criminal justice system, the second shifts focus to the investigation. Authorities search for the murder weapon and comb through Jamie and Katie’s social media messages to piece together the nature of their relationship.The gripping third episode centers on an intense exchange between Jamie and psychologist Briony Ariston (played by Erin Doherty).
Adolescence Ending Explained
The entire story unfolds over 13 months and concludes in the fourth and final episode, where Jamie makes an unexpected confession to his father. Read on for a deep dive into Adolescence’s shocking ending, including the reason why Jamie killed Katie.
Did Jamie Kill Kate?
Adolescence. Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller in Adolescence. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2024
Courtesy of Netflix
At the end of Episode 1, detectives release CCTV footage showing Jamie stabbing Katie seven times in a parking lot. Even after watching the video, Jamie insists he didn’t do it. Director Graham told Tudum that he wanted the audience to experience the “same feelings” as Eddie when he watches the footage and confronts the brutal reality of what his son has done.
Finally, in Episode 4, Jamie confesses to killing Katie. Thirteen months later, on Eddie’s 50th birthday, he calls his father to say he’s planning to plead guilty to the murder charge. Co-writer Jack Thorne explained that in this moment, “Jamie now knows what he’s done and what his future might be. That allows him to put his feelings in a box and close the lid on himself in some way.”
However, Jamie didn’t come to this realization on his own. According to the writer, his evolution began in Episode 3 during his intense conversation with Briony. Their exchange is a standout moment in the series, tackling masculinity, attraction, and Jamie’s entanglement with misogynistic propaganda. The one-hour episode ends with Jamie begging Briony to tell his dad he’s “OK,” while she is left in tears from the emotional weight of their session.
Why Did Jamie Kill Kate?
Adolescence. (L to R) Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller, Erin Doherty as Briony Ariston, in Adolescence. … [+] Cr. Courtesy of Ben Blackall/Netflix © 2024
Courtesy of Netflix
Jamie killed Katie because of a combination of factors, including his “lack of self-esteem, perceived bullying at school, and access to online incel propaganda,” according to Tudum.
Jamie tells Briony that he asked Katie out after a topless photo of her was circulated among classmates on Snapchat as an act of revenge porn. He asked her out to make her feel better, but Katie rejected him and later sent emojis mocking him for asking. However, it’s after she publicly called him an incel on Instagram that pushes him over the edge. He stabs her shortly after.
The writers previously shared that the series was inspired by the knife-crime epidemic in the U.K. and an exploration of male rage. Graham told Vanity Fair that he was initially unfamiliar with the manosphere—a controversial network of websites, blogs, forums, and online communities centered on men’s rights, male interests, and opposition to feminism. “I didn’t know what it was until Jack [Thorne] told me all about it, and I was just blown away,” he said.
Thorne also told the Los Angeles Times that he wanted to move beyond the typical narrative of blaming the parents. Instead, he sought to examine other factors that could influence Jamie’s behavior, including the rise of incel culture online. The Anti-Defamation League, defines incels as “heterosexual men who blame women and society for their lack of romantic success.
What Happens To Jamie And His Family?
Adolescence. Stephen Graham as Eddie Miller in Adolescence. Cr. Courtesy of Ben Blackall/Netflix © … [+] 2024
Courtesy of Netflix
The final episode of Adolescence doesn’t show Jamie’s trial or reveal his sentencing. However, the teen’s decision to plead guilty strongly implies that he will serve a life sentence in prison.
As for the Miller family, Episode 4 focuses on their struggle to navigate life after Jamie is charged with murder. They consider leaving town for a fresh start, but Eddie opposes the idea. Their daughter, Lisa, also believes that moving would only make things worse.
After Jamie admits his guilty plea, Eddie and Manda have a heartfelt conversation about where they went wrong. Manda raises questions about Jamie’s temper and regrets not monitoring his computer usage more closely, while Eddie is still traumatized by the CCTV footage of the murder.
In the final scene, Eddie steps into Jamie’s untouched room and breaks down, burying his face in his son’s pillow. He apologizes to Jamie’s teddy bear, a symbolic stand-in for his son. “I’m sorry son, I should’ve done better,” he says.
Graham revealed that the writers always intended for the story to end in that room. “We wanted the journey to finish where it began,” he said.
Adolescence is streaming on Netflix. Watch the official trailer below.
