Netflix's latest limited series, Adolescence, is earning rave reviews for its technical achievement – each of the four episodes is shot in one take – and for tackling issues about toxic masculinity. The British show, which has received a 100 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes, centres on a 13-year-old boy who has been accused of murdering a female classmate.
The Guardian said the "deeply harrowing" show was "the closest thing to TV perfection", while Forbes called it a "technical masterpiece".
Adolescence is co-created by acclaimed actor Stephen Graham, who plays the father of the accused Jamie, played by first-time actor Owen Cooper. It also features Christine Tremarco as Jamie's mother, Amelie Pease as his sister, and Ashley Walters and Faye Marsay as inspectors investigating the case. British actress Erin Doherty has also received wide acclaim for her role as a child psychologist tasked with writing an independent assessment of Jamie's character.
Besides the gripping performances, however, it's the show's take on incel subculture and the manosphere that's dominating online discussions.
What is incel subculture?
An online subculture, incels are a community of men, mostly heterosexual, who define themselves as unattractive and therefore unable to find a romantic or sexual partner, and who blame women and girls as a result.
The Anti-Defamation League in the US describes incels as "heterosexual men who blame women and society for their lack of romantic success".
A portmanteau of “involuntary celibate", the term rose to prominence following a misogynistic hate crime in the US in 2014 when a 22-year-old killed six people and injured 14 others. Before committing his crimes, the mass murderer – who later died by suicide – uploaded a video on YouTube announcing his intention to "punish" women for their lack of interest in him. The incident inspired another mass murder in 2018 in Toronto, in which 11 people were killed and 15 injured. The perpetrator, who was later arrested, described himself as an incel to the police.
In 2017, Reddit said it banned a 41,000-strong incel group for violating its rules regarding violent content.
"A reminder that no female has ever looked at you and thought you were attractive," read one thread on the banned forum.
"Women are horrible human beings in every aspect of life," wrote another.
What is the manosphere and why is Andrew Tate referred to in the show?
Through its storytelling, Adolescence also offers a searing look at the manosphere, the collection of online forums, websites and influencers that promote misogyny and masculinity, to which incels belong.
Andrew Tate, 38, a former professional kickboxer and self-described misogynist who has amassed more than 10 million followers on X, is a celebrated personality in the manosphere.
Tate was banned from Facebook, Instagram and TikTok in 2022 for his misogynist views. He was also earlier banned from Twitter for a number of comments about women, including suggesting they “bear some responsibility” for being assaulted – but his account has since been reinstated under new owner Elon Musk.
Last month, Tate and his brother, Tristan Tate, who are charged with human trafficking in Romania, arrived in the US after authorities lifted their travel restrictions.
The Tates, who are dual US-British citizens, were arrested in late 2022 and formally indicted last year on charges that they participated in a criminal ring that lured women to Romania, where they were sexually exploited. Andrew Tate was also charged with rape. They have denied the allegations.
Inspiration behind Adolescence
Graham, 51, known for his roles in shows such as Boardwalk Empire and Peaky Blinders as well as the Venom films, said Adolescence was inspired by a series of real-life stories.
"There was an incident where a young boy stabbed a girl. 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?’," he said. "And then it happened again, and it happened again, and it happened again. 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?’
“One of our aims was to ask, ‘What is happening to our young men these days, and what are the pressures they face from their peers, from the internet and from social media?’" Graham added. “And the pressures that come from all of those things are as difficult for kids [in the UK] as they are the world over.”
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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SUE%20GRAY'S%20FINDINGS
%3Cp%3E%22Whatever%20the%20initial%20intent%2C%20what%20took%20place%20at%20many%20of%20these%20gatherings%20and%20the%3Cbr%3Eway%20in%20which%20they%20developed%20was%20not%20in%20line%20with%20Covid%20guidance%20at%20the%20time.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22Many%20of%20these%20events%20should%20not%20have%20been%20allowed%20to%20happen.%20It%20is%20also%20the%20case%20that%20some%20of%20the%3Cbr%3Emore%20junior%20civil%20servants%20believed%20that%20their%20involvement%20in%20some%20of%20these%20events%20was%20permitted%20given%20the%20attendance%20of%20senior%20leaders.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22The%20senior%20leadership%20at%20the%20centre%2C%20both%20political%20and%20official%2C%20must%20bear%20responsibility%20for%20this%20culture.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22I%20found%20that%20some%20staff%20had%20witnessed%20or%20been%20subjected%20to%20behaviours%20at%20work%20which%20they%20had%20felt%20concerned%20about%20but%20at%20times%20felt%20unable%20to%20raise%20properly.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22I%20was%20made%20aware%20of%20multiple%20examples%20of%20a%20lack%20of%20respect%20and%20poor%20treatment%20of%20security%20and%20cleaning%20staff.%20This%20was%20unacceptable.%22%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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- Flexible work arrangements
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- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
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6.30pm: Meydan Sprint Group 2 US$175,000 1,000m
Winner: Ertijaal, Jim Crowley (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap $60,000 1,400m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Handicap $160,000 1,400m
Winner: Raven’s Corner, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
8.15pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group 3 $200,000 2,000m
Winner: Folkswood, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile Group 2 $250,000 1,600m
Winner: Janoobi, Jim Crowley, Mike de Kock
9.25pm: Handicap $125,000 1,600m
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Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
FIXTURES
December 28
Stan Wawrinka v Pablo Carreno Busta, 5pm
Milos Raonic v Dominic Thiem, no earlier then 7pm
December 29 - semi-finals
Rafael Nadal v Stan Wawrinka / Pablo Carreno Busta, 5pm
Novak Djokovic v Milos Raonic / Dominic Thiem, no earlier then 7pm
December 30
3rd/4th place play-off, 5pm
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if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
