Photo credit: www.thewrap.com
Emotional Climax in Netflix’s “Adolescence” Captivates Viewers
The conclusion of Netflix’s “Adolescence” has resonated deeply with its audience, leaving many feeling vulnerable and emotionally charged. This reaction isn’t without justification, as the narrative grapples with profound themes.
At the heart of the series lies a gripping tale: a teenage boy, portrayed by Owen Cooper, is implicated in the murder of a female peer. It becomes increasingly evident that he is responsible, and the storyline delves into the ramifications of incel culture among youth, raising vital conversations about societal influences on young individuals.
As the production prepared for the climactic final scene, which depicts a heart-wrenching moment of the boy’s father breaking down in his son’s childhood sanctuary, the creative team aimed to amplify the intense emotional atmosphere.
Director Stephen Graham, who also embodies the role of the grieving father, expressed the intention to conclude the series in the very room where it all began. “We knew that we wanted to end it in that room. We wanted the journey to finish where it began,” he shared in an interview with Netflix.
To elevate Graham’s emotional performance in this pivotal moment, director Philip Barantini employed a unique and unexpected tactic that viewers might notice upon revisiting the scene.
Barantini, known for his work on “Malpractice” and “Boiling Point,” had the art department craft familial photographs of Graham alongside a heartfelt message that read, “We love you. We’re so proud of you,” placing these items within the set of the boy’s bedroom.
While the camera did not capture these personal details, they were visible to Graham, providing him with a significant emotional cue that aligned with the heavy burden of his character’s knowledge — that his son is a murderer.
“If you watch the scene closely, he looks over to the right-hand side, and he spots the pictures and the notes. It broke him open,” Barantini explained. “The other takes before that were very different. They were all still incredibly emotional. But that last take, which we used, was real, raw, and unexpected from him as well.”
“Adolescence” is currently available to stream in its entirety on Netflix.
Source
www.thewrap.com