Director Philip Barantini has revealed there was a hidden heartbreaking addition to the final episode of hit Netflix series Adolescence that many fans may have missed
The director of hit Netflix series Adolescence has revealed there is a hidden meaning behind the show’s heartbreaking ending. In a move many may have missed, Philip Barantini confirmed who the haunting scene was really about.
Audience and critics have been full of praise for the four part drama since it dropped on the streaming platform, with some claiming it’s the best they’ve seen in years. With Stephen Graham at the helm alongside acting newbie Owen Cooper, the drama shares the heartbreaking story of a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a girl in his class.
In the drama series, Owen’s character, the baby-faced Jamie Miller is arrested and charged with murder, with Ashley Walters playing Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe overseeing the investigation. As well as seeing Jamie unravel and expose his darkest thoughts, the show also details the impact of the crime committed by Jamie on his family and his school.
The final episode of Adolescence starts 13 months after Jamie is dragged into the police station for questioning. Stephen’s character Eddie celebrated his 50th birthday as he battled to treat the day as normal with his wife and daughter amid the chaos of the last year and with Jamie’s court hearing looming.
Viewers will recall how Jamie confesses he was the person to stab his classmate Katie and told his father that he will plead guilty at the final moment of the show. The harrowing scene is accompanied by the song, Through the Eyes of a Child by Aurora. Its lyrics describe the loss of a childlike soul and in a haunting twist, the song is performed by Katie.
The moment becomes the only time that viewers hear her voice in the entire series. Director Phillip discovered Katie actress Emilia Holliday could sing and so asked her to perform the lead vocals for the final moments of the show. He told Netflix’s Tulum: “The voice in the score is Katie’s voice. Katie is a part of the whole series. Her presence is always there.”
Adolescence isn’t based on a true story but Stephen who co-created and wrote the series emphasised that the series shares an “ordinary family’s worst nightmare.” Speaking to Tudum, he said: “I really just wanted to shine a light on it, and ask, ‘Why is this happening today? What’s going on? How have we come to this?'”
Stephen’s powerhouse performance created a harrowing final episode as he returned to Jamie’s old bedroom. He broke down in streams of tears as he took his son’s stuffed animal and tucked it under the covers. “I’m sorry, son,” he says to the teddy. “I should have done better.”
However, some fans have expressed disappointment by the conclusion as they were hoping for more details to wrap up the case and to be shown Jamie’s trial. Others complained the ending left them totally unsure about whether Jamie was actually guilty of the crime or not. The teen had insisted it wasn’t him throughout and said he was changing his plea at the 11th hour.
One user said on X: “Kinda disappointed by the ending of Adolescence, it feels like it’s missing so much of the story, I wish it was perhaps longer or that the ending would show his trial.”
“Just finished Adolescence on Netflix. The acting was amazing and very good storyline, but the ending could’ve been better in my opinion!” another viewer said. One disappointed user added: “Adolescence was a brilliant series overall, however that last episode was dragged out.”
As with the first three episodes of the series, remarkably the final episode was shot in one long take. Some fans rushed to defend the show and claimed the fans ‘bored’ by the final episode ‘didn’t get the show’. One said: “Those of you who say the ending was boring don’t get it it wasn’t made for entertainment purposes it was showing how children’s actions have an effect on family and it was important to include.”
“The final episode of #Adolescence was SO important. Ppl was looking for a twist like the twist wasn’t in ep ONE. But to see how these things affect the FAMILY individually is SO important. I spent the whole time wondering if I could do it,” another impressed Netflix viewer said.
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