Confused by the Netflix Teen Series Finale? We’ll Explain It All!

The British miniseries “Adolescence” currently tops Netflix’s chart as the hottest show. However, some subscribers have expressed their confusion on social media. Here’s our insight.

Since its release on Thursday, March 13, 2025, Adolescence has dominated the Netflix series leaderboard. It fully deserves this spot: the hard-hitting series by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne is remarkable both in its thematic depth and its execution. It meticulously explores toxic masculinity, what it’s like to grow up at 13 in today’s digital world, and the divide between modern teens and their parents—all within four episodes, each shot in a single continuous take, filmed in real-time without breaks, enhancing the viewer’s immersion.

While critics have praised this merging of content and form (ourselves included), Adolescence has not won over every subscriber. On social media, some have openly shared their disappointment with the series’ ending. The series opens with the arrest of Jamie, a 13-year-old boy, accused of murdering a classmate. While some might expect a traditional crime series focusing on the investigation and solving of the murder, this is not the case. The investigation is deliberately not the focus of this Netflix series. Below, we explain what you should understand about the series and its conclusion. Warning, spoilers ahead.

Breaking Down Adolescence (With Spoilers)

Is Jamie Guilty?

Adolescence does not attempt to shroud the murder Jamie is accused of in mystery. Although he denies responsibility for a long time and the series initially casts doubt, the definitive proof of his guilt is revealed at the end of the first episode: a surveillance video showing him killing his classmate. Yes, Jamie did indeed kill Katie. While uncertainties linger and characters, especially his parents, continue to question, his guilt is conclusively established, and the series does not need to further elaborate on the investigative findings. The series finale, where Jamie confesses to his parents that he will plead guilty, confirms that he committed the murder and is prepared to face the consequences.

Why Did Jamie Kill Katie?

The motives behind the young man’s actions are illuminated during episodes 2 and 3. Jamie suffers from bullying, has no self-confidence, and harbors both shame and anger towards women, particularly Katie. This leads to one of the series’ strong themes: masculinity, especially its toxic form. Jamie is a bullied child who subscribes to the beliefs of incels (men who define themselves as unable to find a romantic partner due to women themselves and who are involuntarily celibate).

What Is the Series Really About?

Netflix subscribers looking for a new crime series with twists and mystery may end up disappointed. However, it’s essential to understand that Adolescence is not a show that focuses on identifying the perpetrator or how the murder was committed, but rather on “why,” and more importantly, “how it got to this point.”

The series primarily explores what is truly happening in the minds of today’s teenagers. Episode 2 illustrates the gap between how adults perceive children and their actual daily realities, especially at school or online. Episode 4 highlights the divide between parents and teenagers through the questions faced by Jamie’s family, particularly his father who wonders what he might have missed in raising his child.

Understanding the Final Episode

The last episode, more intimate yet deeply moving, shows what happens to Jamie and his family could happen to anyone: the teenager grew up in a normal, loving home surrounded by positive influences. The parents accept responsibility for their child’s actions, and the father wonders what more he could have done to prevent the tragedy. To which the mother responds that there was nothing more he could have done. Their daughter is well-balanced and likely to succeed, but they remain accountable for their son’s actions, hence the father’s apology to his son’s teddy bear in the last scene.

What Is the Plot of the Series Adolescence?

In Adolescence, 13-year-old Jamie Miller is arrested for the murder of a classmate. This event turns the life of his entire family, who otherwise led an ordinary life, upside down. Designated as the “responsible adult” for his son’s custody, Eddie Miller is thrust into a nightmare… Is his son truly guilty, or is it a judicial error? While Detective Bascombe conducts the investigation, a psychologist evaluates Jamie. Will they uncover what actually happened? And how does one recover from such a drama?

Which Actors Are in the Cast of Adolescence?

• Owen Cooper: Jamie Miller
• Stephen Graham: Eddie Miller
• Ashley Walters: Luke Bascombe
• Erin Doherty: Briony Ariston
• Faye Marsay: Misha Frank
• Christine Tremarco: Manda Miller
• Mark Stanley: Paul Barlow

Where to Watch Adolescence Streaming?

If you’re looking to dive into the gripping narrative of the four episodes of Adolescence, head over to Netflix. To subscribe to the streaming platform, there are three options: an essential subscription with ads ($5.99 per month), a standard subscription without ads ($13.49 per month), or the premium plan ($19.99 per month).