Adolescence ending explained after Netflix viewers 'miss the point' of 'disturbing' series

The gut-wrenching finale of Netflix's latest crime-drama Adolescence has greatly divided audiences.

Some have accused producers of providing an anticlimactic ending to a harrowing criminal investigation, with others believing that such a complaint proves they've 'missed the point' completely.

What is 'Adolescence' about?

For those who haven't yet seen the four-part series, it stars critically-acclaimed actor Stephen Graham as Eddie Miller - a loving father-of-two whose life is turned upside-down when his 13-year-old son is arrested for the brutal murder of one of his classmates.

On-screen newbie Owen Cooper plays his teen son, Jamie, whilst Top Boy actor Ashley Walters takes on the role of the investigation's lead detective. The Crown's Erin Doherty also stars as Jamie's psychologist.

How does the series end?

The final episode takes place 13 months after Jamie was first arrested, and sees Eddie, his wife and his daughter attempting to celebrate his 50th birthday - all the while his son's upcoming trial looms.

The instalment not only sees the heartbroken dad having to endure a new life filled with disdain from both neighbours and strangers, but sees Jamie calling the family home to reveal he plans on pleading guilty.

Eddie then walks into into Jamie's old bedroom before breaking down in tears. The series ends with him holding Jamie's teddy bear, and telling it: "I'm sorry, son. I should have done better."

As we say, however, the conclusion of the series has apparently left some viewers feeling unfulfilled.

Divided opinions

The ending sees Jamie admit he's planning to plead guilty (Netflix)

"Kinda disappointed by the ending of Adolescence, it feels like it's missing so much of the story," one hit out online, as per OK!.

"I wish it was perhaps longer or that the ending would show his trial."

Another wrote: "Just finished Adolescence on Netflix. The acting was amazing and very good storyline, but the ending could've been better in my opinion!"

Other viewers of the production have since responded to such criticism, however, to emphasise that the whole point of the series has seemingly been missed. One could argue that these critics have misunderstood the fact that, unlike many other British crime-dramas, the show doesn't pose a 'whodunnit' question.

In the very first episode, following Jamie's arrest, he and Eddie are shown CCTV footage of the violent stabbing - though, the teenager consistently denied ever having done so.

It's only in the third episode, whilst he's chatting with his court-ordered psychiatrist, that Jamie confesses to the crime, revealing he acted out of anger after the victim ceaselessly bullied him online.

So, by the time the fourth and final episode rolls around, we have a definitive with regards to guilt.

Some viewers believe critics have 'missed the point' (Netflix)

So, what is the point?

Explaining the heartbreaking end to the show, one fan explained online: "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."

Another added to the theory: "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."

Lead actor Stephen Graham - who also co-wrote the series - previously told Tudum that the show was contrived as a means of depicting how prevalent the theme of knife crime feels for many UK parents nowadays.

Despite revealing that the show is not based on a real case, he added that it's an amalgamation of the 262 people who were stabbed to death in England and Wales between 2023-2024.

"There was an incident where a young boy [allegedly] stabbed a girl," he explained. "It shocked me.

"I was thinking, ‘What’s going on? What’s happening in society where a boy stabs a girl to death? What’s the inciting incident here?'. And then it happened again, and it happened again, and it happened again.

Stephen Graham opened up on the point of the production (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

"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?'."

The actor - who himself is a father-of-two - went on to explain: "We could have made a drama about gangs and knife crime, or about a kid whose mother is an alcoholic or whose father is a violent abuser.

"Instead, we wanted you to look at this family and think, 'My God. This could be happening to us!’ And what’s happening here is an ordinary family’s worst nightmare."