The Dark Truth About ‘Incel’ in Netflix’s Adolescence Will Shock You!

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The term “adolescence” brings to mind phrases such as “incel”, “manosphere”, and references to Andrew Tate’s content, each with its unique connotations. However, in the context of the Netflix series, these terms take on a more ominous interpretation.

The latest Netflix series is still soaring in popularity, justifiably so. Similar to the acclaimed show “Baby Reindeer” from last year, it skillfully delves into significant social concerns by means of a poignant narrative and outstanding acting.

In Jamie Miller’s story, we explore how social media and negative role models, particularly misogynistic influencers, can influence the thoughts and behaviors of young adolescent boys, as demonstrated by Jamie’s tragic situation where he stands accused of killing a female classmate.

In Episode 1, the focus is on the protagonist’s arrest, while in Episode 2, detectives visit the school setting. Detective Luke Bascombe, during this visit, receives a lesson on online culture from his son Adam. During their conversation, it’s disclosed that the victim, Katie Leonard, was labeling Jamie as an ‘incel’.

What does incel in Adolescence mean?

An “Incel” refers to an individual who is involuntarily celibate, which means they’re not engaged in any sexual activities against their will. However, the term encompasses much more than just this simple definition, as the novel “Adolescence” illustrates.

After Adam shares that Katie was labeling Jamie as an ‘incel’ on Instagram, Luke becomes perplexed. He queries, “How can someone be forced to be celibate at 13? Isn’t everyone in that position at 13?” Recognizing his father’s lack of understanding, Adam decides to move on.

The word “incel” emerged in the 1990s as a seemingly impartial term for individuals grappling with unwanted celibacy, yet its connotation evolved into something more sinister in the 2010s.

In 2014, Elliot Rodger, who identified himself as an incel (involuntary celibate), gained widespread infamy when he conducted a deadly shooting spree in Isla Vista, California. Six individuals lost their lives in this tragic event before Rodger took his own life.

Roger’s departure was followed by a document expressing his belief that women caused his solitude, igniting a surge of internet communities known as “incels” that celebrated aggression and disrespect towards women.

Back in 2018, I was deeply disturbed when my gaming world seemed to intersect with reality. You see, the actions I witnessed online, fueled by hate and violence against women, had a chilling echo in the real world. The Toronto van attack, orchestrated by Alek Minassian, was one such instance that left an indelible mark on me. It was a stark reminder of how virtual spaces can sometimes mirror darker aspects of our society.

The incel subculture is closely linked to the manosphere, a term coined by Adam during adolescence. This refers to a collection of anti-feminist, predominantly masculine online communities. Though composed of different groups, they largely share the viewpoint that modern society unfairly favors women due to feminism.

Additionally, it aligns with some far-right and alt-right groups, and there are those who advocate for violent actions towards women.

Individuals adhering to this philosophy are often referred to as taking the “red-pill,” a term derived from the movie, The Matrix. Essentially, the red pill represents choosing to confront harsh realities, even if they’re unpleasant, while the blue pill signifies continuing in blissful unawareness.

In my gaming world, I’ve noticed that Andrew Tate has gained quite a following with his controversial views. He often spreads misogynistic ideas within the ‘manosphere’, painting women as being less than us men and emphasizing domination as something admirable.

As social media broadens their reach, beliefs associated with the “involuntary celibate” or incel movement have expanded, resulting in actual acts of violence and shaping the expression of misogyny within contemporary youth subcultures.

During adolescence, there appears to be a pull for Jamie Miller towards a harmful belief system, which seems to foster his antagonism towards women.

In Episode 3, it’s clearer than ever that he displays traits commonly found in incel communities, such as unrestrained rage, excessive pride, and underlying insecurity – behaviors often attributed to women for their supposed shortcomings by these groups.

It’s particularly concerning that young, malleable minds can so effortlessly adapt to the digital content they encounter, making it all the more challenging to ensure they are exposed to positive and enriching online experiences.

According to a psychologist’s perspective, various factors contribute to a child’s growth and development. These can range from interactions with social media, peers, and friends, all the way to their home environment, family dynamics, and the maturation of their own mind.

However, Adolescence underscores the fact that despite parents’ best efforts at vigilance, they cannot prevent all the potentially disturbing content their kids may encounter, particularly on the internet.

Exposure to potentially harmful ideas through social media and content driven by algorithms seems nearly unavoidable, making it easier for at-risk teenagers such as Jamie to be influenced and potentially radicalized in ways that can be hard to foresee or shield against.

Stephen Graham issues warning

Stephen Graham, both co-writer and lead actor, revealed that the film “Adolescence” drew inspiration from a series of actual knife attacks occurring in the United Kingdom. He urged parents to be mindful of potential triggers for such tragic events.

After watching Episode 1, he commented, “Since our task was to produce a single-shot sequence that would later become a series, we were brainstorming ideas for the plot. I had come across an article in the newspaper about a young boy stabbing a young girl.

The situation left me with a slight chill. Approximately three to four months after that, I came across a report on the news about a young boy who had allegedly stabbed another young girl. It’s important to remember they are still boys, not men. The incident occurred at the opposite end of the country.

As a passionate fan, it struck a chord deep within me, for numerous personal reasons. Primarily, as a father, but also due to the current state of our society that this incident could occur. While riding alongside director Phil Barantini, an idea spontaneously emerged from my thoughts.

As Graham clarified, the purpose of the Netflix series isn’t about blaming specific individuals or groups, but rather bringing attention to certain problems – and that’s where the topics like incels, the manosphere, and Tate become relevant.

He shared with The Independent that right from the start, it was crucial for us to understand that no one could accuse anyone else.

In their household, Dad generally avoided violence, neither striking Mom nor his son or daughter. Mom was not addicted to alcohol. Additionally, Jamie was never subjected to sexual, mental, or physical abuse from any other relative.

We wanted to explore alternative viewpoints and avoid jumping to conclusions, so the question becomes who shares responsibility in this situation. This could be our families, schools, society, our communities, or even our environment.

Graham emphasized the contrast between growing up prior to and following the emergence of social media, a time when children were shielded from the wider world less frequently.

He noted that in addition to parents shaping their kids and schools teaching them, there are hidden influences at work that significantly impact our youth’s culture, which we may not even be aware of.

Deep impacts, both incredibly beneficial and exceptionally harmful. It’s essential to examine these consequences and understand that we each bear responsibility in specific aspects.

Learn more about the current state of the series, including why Season 2 of Adolescence might not materialize, excellent series recommendations for your viewing pleasure, and top-rated shows from 2025 that you won’t want to miss out on.

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2025-03-19 15:51