Adolescence viewers praise 'haunting' detail you probably didn't spot in emotional Stephen Graham scene
Topics: Crime, Netflix, Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham, UK News
Britt Jones
Featured Image Credit: Netflix
Topics: Crime, Netflix, Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham, UK News
Netflix viewers have shared a ‘haunting’ detail in the hit crime-drama Adolescence that you probably didn’t notice the first time around.
The four-part series dropped on Netflix just one week ago, and it has been causing a worldwide stir ever since.
Stephen Graham, 51, stars as devoted father-of-two Eddie Miller, whose life is turned upside down when his 13-year-old son Jamie is arrested for stabbing his female classmate Katie to death.
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The gritty police-drama - which was shot in four single, continuous takes - dives into the theme of knife crime against women and girls, why this is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue in the UK and how external factors from parenting and school can shape young minds for the worse.
It also explores themes of misogyny, incels, and the online 'manosphere'.
The series features TV newbie Owen Cooper as Jamie, Top Boy actor Ashley Walters as the investigation's lead detective, and The Crown's Erin Doherty who plays as Jamie's court-ordered psychologist.
Now, speaking to Tudum, director Philip Barantini has shared one small detail you might have missed about the conclusion to the harrowing drama.
At the end of episode two, Graham's character goes to the car park where his son murdered Katie to lay flowers and in the background, you can hear a heart wrenching song playing.
The hidden meaning of the song choice is something that many may not know is that the person who is lead-singing the song is Emilia Holliday, the actress who plays Katie in the show.
This isn't the only moment she can be heard singing though: the final episode jumps 13 months ahead of the other three, with Jamie awaiting trial in prison while Eddie, his wife and daughter are trying to move on with their lives.
As the trio face backlash from neighbours and strangers, Jamie calls to tell them that he is planning on pleading guilty to his charges.
The series then ends with Eddie walking into his son's old bedroom, sitting on the bed, and breaking down in tears, as slow rendition of Aurora’s 'Through the Eyes of a Child' plays in the background, which was sang along over by Holliday.
Director Barantini shared that he'd first heard the song when Jack Thorne sent him the script, and he was hooked.
"I couldn’t stop thinking about it," he told Tudum. "It’s just absolutely incredible. The voice in the score is Katie’s voice. Katie is a part of the whole series. Her presence is always there."
Singer Aurora posted a tribute to the song on X on 17 March, writing: "It’s a strange and wonderful thing to see people connecting with this song. The world around me has changed so much since I wrote it. And now the words mean a lot more to me.
"The deep need for the world to stop neglecting the inner child, and confusing innocence with weakness. I hope the song gives people something good. It was always written in the hope that it would find people and treat them kindly. Though it’s strange to me, that it’s out there living its own life - I find it very beautiful.
"Adolescence featuring Through The Eyes Of A Child is out on @netflix now."
Fans praised the song choice in the comments, with one writing: "Haunting and moving performance. Can't wait to hear more!"
Another said: "This moment adds even more emotional depth to the story. Katie Leonard's performance makes the scene truly haunting and unforgettable.."