Spoiler Alert: This article discusses key plot points from Adolescence.
In the profound cinematic experience of Adolescence, directed by Philip Barantini, the score adds a deeply emotional layer that amplifies the tragedy surrounding Katie’s death. The film has garnered remarkable reviews, particularly for its compelling script and purposeful cinematography, effectively created through a continuous one-shot format and sparse musical interludes. This approach immerses the audience in the character’s journeys and their palpable silences, encouraging a thoughtful contemplation of the unfolding narrative that feels strikingly real.
Exploring the Soundtrack of Adolescence
Significant Songs and Their Deep Resonance
In addition to the haunting instrumental themes accompanying the show’s more intense moments, Adolescence strategically employs three well-known songs at pivotal junctures. For instance, during the climactic end of episode 2, a rendition of Sting’s “Fragile”plays as the camera tracks to the parking lot, the site of Katie’s tragic stabbing. Particularly poignant is the nearby playground, where students gather to pay their respects with flowers. Notably, Barantini chose a school choir to perform this cover, intensifying the sorrowful lyrics that now reflect the violence experienced by and affecting children.
In episode 4, as the Millers’ family drives, Lisa plays “Take On Me”by A-ha, evoking nostalgia for the formative years shared between Manda and Eddie.
The emotional crescendo is reached in the show’s final moments with AURORA’s “Through the Eyes of a Child,”which underscores Eddie’s inconsolable grief in Jamie’s bedroom. The lyrics, suggesting a longing for the innocence of childhood, resonate deeply when juxtaposed with the tragic choices that led Jamie down a path of violence. It is particularly striking that this song plays within the supposed sanctuary of a child’s room, highlighting how it became a site of radicalization as explored in the narrative.
Katie’s Voice Echoes in the Score
A Haunting Presence Through Music
In an insightful discussion with Tudum, Barantini disclosed that the haunting vocals interwoven into the score belong to actress Emilia Holliday, who portrays Katie. This poignant humming surfaces throughout key moments, found in pieces such as “Adolescence,””… Do You Believe Me?”, “Walk Back To Class,”and “Eddie Breaks.”This creative choice ensures that despite her physical absence, Katie’s essence continues to permeate the narrative. For characters like the court psychologist and Jamie’s father, Katie’s melancholic tones serve as a constant reminder of the aftermath of Jamie’s actions, with her tragic death driving the storyline forward.
Holliday’s role is particularly highlighted in “Fragile (Sting Cover),”where she delivers a sorrowful soprano solo at the track’s conclusion. This moment takes on an especially poignant significance, as Katie’s voice reverberates at the site of her murder, conveying a haunting message that encapsulates the fragility of life amidst violence. As Eddie lays flowers at the scene, viewers recognize the irreversible impact of Katie’s death on him, forever altered by witnessing the horrific act perpetrated by young Jamie.
The Enduring Impact of Katie’s Presence
A Voice That Transcends Absence
Inspired by true events, Adolescence delves into the complexities of the manosphere, shedding light on how it influences teenagers towards committing acts of gender-based violence. Critically, the narrative’s choice to omit Katie’s perspective has sparked discussions about victim erasure, yet it sharply underscores the permanence of her death. Interestingly, Holliday’s contributions to the score ensure that Katie’s muted voice is not entirely lost, providing an emotional outlet for her story.
Detective Misha Frank poignantly reflects, “Katie isn’t important, Jamie is. Everyone will remember Jamie. No one will remember her.”Yet, in stark contrast, her best friend asserts: “all you need to know is, she’s dead. She shouldn’t be.”This encapsulates the series’ conscious decision to center on the injustice of Katie’s fate rather than casting any shadow of blame upon her. Consequently, the creators masterfully transform Katie’s presence into an almost ethereal murmuring that underscores the collective grief and struggles of the characters.
Sources: Tudum