Adolescence, Netflix’s gripping four-part drama, is not just another crime thriller—it’s a cinematic experiment that pushes the boundaries of storytelling. Directed by Philip Barantini (Boiling Point), the series is shot entirely in one continuous take per episode. That’s right—no cuts, no retakes, just pure, uninterrupted storytelling. This bold technique creates a raw, immersive experience that puts viewers right in the middle of the action, making every second feel urgent and real.

A Filmmaking Feat Like No Other

The concept of shooting an entire episode in a single take is ambitious and rarely attempted in television. While long-take sequences have been used in films like 1917 and Birdman, Adolescence takes it to another level by committing to this approach for the entire series.

Director Philip Barantini explains the challenge:

“Basically that means we press record on the camera, and we don’t press stop until the very end of the hour.