A surprising Catholic virtue in the series ‘Adolescence’

Adolescence, Netflix’s groundbreaking four-part British series, has captivated audiences worldwide with its innovative one-shot filming technique and raw, unedited narrative. Garnering over 114 million views in its first three weeks and topping global streaming charts, the series isn’t just a hit in entertainment circles — it’s a cultural moment that invites us to consider what it means to live authentically in today’s digital age.

The series’ unbroken filming style is more than a technical marvel. It mirrors a growing cultural desire for authenticity — a call for unfiltered, unmediated experiences in a world saturated with quick cuts and highly edited content. In Adolescence, every scene unfolds in one continuous take, forcing viewers to confront the unvarnished truth of the characters’ lives. This aesthetic — where nothing is hidden behind meticulous editing — resonates in today’s society, which increasingly values genuine interactions over superficial appearances.

For Catholics, authenticity is not merely a modern ideal; it is deeply rooted in the faith's tradition and Scripture. The Bible challenges people to live truthfully, aligning themselves with a reality that is grounded in God’s eternal truth. (This is far from easy when you're living in a world that seems so far removed from the eternal life the faithful are promised.) However, as St. Paul reminds us in Romans 12:2:

This verse calls for a revamp of our hearts and minds — a shift away from the surface-level standards of the world and toward a more authentic identity: one that is formed in Christ. In a culture that often prizes appearances and instant gratification, this teaching invites us to look more deeply at our inner life.

Jesus’ words in John 8:32 also ring true:

Authenticity, then, means living out this truth by being honest with ourselves, our families, and our community -- this can be far from easy, even on the best of days! It means rejecting the fake signals you receive from social media and cultural trends, in favor of the truth that God reveals in Scripture, and in the authentic encounters we share with one another.

While Adolescence is lauded for its technical daring and intense narrative, its core also challenges us to examine the authenticity of our own lives. How many of us allow the glitzy veneer of social media or the edited reels of our daily interactions to obscure our true selves? The show’s one-shot approach reminds us that life, in all its complexity and vulnerability, is best experienced in its raw, unedited form.

In fact, one of the best ways you can help your children is to give them the example of putting this authenticity into practice with your own social media posts. Make them real, make them unfiltered. Don't waste precious time getting the perfect shot. Snap away and be happy in the moment, and this will reflect who you really are.

For a Catholic audience, you might take this striving for authenticity even further. You can ask the question: How is it possible to cultivate an interior life marked by honesty, integrity, and openness — qualities that lead everyone closer to God? By embracing practices that foster silent prayer, meditative reading of Scripture, and honest dialogue with those we encounter, it is possible to offset the artificiality of a digitally dominated culture. Psalm 139:23–24 encourages this thought:

This heartfelt plea underscores a desire for genuine transformation — a change that can be inspired by the truth of the Gospel.

The impact of Adolescence — with its impressive viewership and critical acclaim — shows that audiences are hungry for depth and realness. As parents, educators, and faithful Catholics, people are invited to embrace authenticity in their daily lives. We are called to live a life of truth, rejecting the superficial standards promoted by popular culture and social media.

Authenticity means being transparent with our joys, sorrows, and doubts, allowing God’s truth to shape our relationships and our families. It is a challenge to look beyond the edited snapshots of life and to cherish the continuous, unbroken narrative that is Christ's story.

And actually this search for truth echoes the mission of Aleteia, whose very name means "truth" in Greek.