Important warning you might want to listen to if you enjoyed watching Adolescence

Adolescence is the most-watched Netflix series of 2025 so far, but a psychologist has issued a 'warning' to those who enjoyed the series.

We all love indulging in a bit of true crime; it seems to be a guilty pleasure that keeps us on the edge of our seats. A lot of the time. it doesn't even have to be based on a true story, there's just something about the fascination with crime that draws us in.

But have you ever stopped to wonder the reason exactly behind why we enjoy watching 'traumatic TV'?

Well, a psychologist has warned that women in particular enjoy switching on a crime series, and there's actually a very good reason for it.

Adolescence was Cooper's first acting role. (Netflix)

Helen Villiers, a psychotherapist whose specialist areas consist of women and toxic relationships, previously spoke to Tyla about why women in particular enjoy watching this kind of show.

Villiers noted that feeling 'relaxed' when watching crime series could be a red flag.

She said: "One of the most difficult things about being a woman is that we never know where attack might come from.

"And so, quite often, as human beings - regardless of gender - we'll naturally look out for pattern recognition in order to be able to protect things in order to be able to keep ourselves safe."

Adolescence stars 15-year-old Owen Cooper, who plays 13-year-old alleged murderer Jamie Miller in the series.

Viewers were blown away with Cooper's portrayal of the brainwashed kid, despite never having stepped on a set before.

The show explores themes of 'red-pill' culture, which promotes the hatred of women in the context of men who want nothing more than to please women, and ultimately violence against women.

Speaking more on why we seem so fascinated with these gripping crime stories, the expert explained how we subconsciously see it as a way to keep ourselves informed about the psyche behind how these crimes are planned and carried out, in order to protect ourselves.

Adolescence has become Netflix's most watched show of 2025 so far. (Netflix)

She added: "Being able to predict patterns of behaviour is seen as being a way to keep themselves safe.

"There is a deep protection and safety in a belief that you would be able to protect yourself from the likes of Ted Bundy.

"By true crime documentaries explaining how a crime occurred and how the killer did what they did, we are given a false sense of security that we will be able to spot the predator and keep ourselves safe."

We also love so-called 'traumatic TV' to understand exactly why criminals commit heinous crimes, as it can be impossible to comprehend.