Netflix is dropping some seriously talk-worthy shows and everyone is buzzing. We are diving into two in particular: Adolescence a chilling crime drama that's got parents thinking and The Residence a wildly fun murder mystery set in the most famous house in America. Get ready to add these to your watchlist!
'Adolescence': Not a True Story But a Real Conversation Starter About Boys and the Internet
Adolescence is the show everyone is talking about right now and it is heavy stuff. This Netflix series throws you right into a crime drama where a young teen is accused of a really violent act. While it might feel like something ripped from the headlines it is not based on one specific true story . But the inspiration behind it? Totally real and kind of scary.
The creators were looking at news about knife crime involving young boys in the UK. It made them think about what is going on with young guys today. The show tackles big themes like toxic masculinity feeling lonely the gap between genders and how all of that plays out in today's world especially online.
Even though it's intense experts say Adolescence is actually opening up a valuable chat for families. It is getting parents and teens to think about stuff like how boys see masculinity social media's impact and even bullying and pornography. It's not always easy stuff to talk about but this show might be the push you need.
Parenting experts suggest if you watch Adolescence maybe watch it with your teen. Pause it discuss what you are seeing. Ask them what they think about how high school is shown in the series or if they have seen guys talk disrespectfully about girls at their own school. It's about getting their point of view and helping them see different perspectives.
One big takeaway from Adolescence according to psychologists is this: are parents really aware of what their kids are doing online? Teens live in two worlds now the real one and the online one. And sometimes that online world is unsupervised and unmonitored and can have a bigger impact than we realize. Experts recommend keeping devices out of bedrooms especially at night and maybe even waiting until kids are older to let them jump into social media.
One parenting expert even said this show affected him so much he is rewriting his book about raising boys! He feels like boys are missing out on becoming men who are not stuck in outdated ideas of what it means to be masculine. It's not just a conversation for boys either. Groups are hosting webinars for parents about sexism and misogyny and how to guide kids through harmful online messages. Adolescence may be fiction but the issues it raises are definitely not.
'The Residence': Escape to a Gleeful White House Murder Mystery with Uzo Aduba Leading the Charge
If you need something a little lighter after all that heavy thinking then switch gears to The Residence. This Netflix series is a murder mystery set in the White House but get ready for fun not just suspense. Think classic whodunnit with a huge cast quirky characters and a healthy dose of humor.
Uzo Aduba who you might know from Orange is the New Black is fantastic as Detective Cordelia Cupp. She is called in to solve a murder that happens during a fancy state dinner at the White House. The victim? The Chief Usher AB Wynter played by Giancarlo Esposito. Suddenly everyone in the White House from the First Family to the staff are suspects – 157 of them to be exact!
Detective Cupp is not your average detective. She is brilliant a keen birdwatcher and has a thing for sardines. She quickly figures out it is murder not suicide even when the FBI and Secret Service think it's an open-and-shut case. And then the fun begins. No one can leave the White House until she solves it. Imagine being trapped in the White House with a killer and a detective who sees clues everywhere even in bird songs.
The Residence is described as "uber-Christie with comic knobs on" and "gleeful escapism". It is got a huge ensemble cast with each character adding their own bit of mystery and comedy. There is Jasmine Haney the assistant usher who was in line for a promotion Harry Hollinger a friend of the president secretly searching for clues Sheila Cannon a perpetually tipsy butler and even a pastry chef with a grudge over his gingerbread house display. And keep an eye out for a cameo by Kylie Minogue who is bribed to perform with the promise of a night in the Lincoln bedroom. Seriously this show is wild.
Creator Paul William Davies who worked on Scandal says he wanted to make it feel like those classic all-star cast murder mysteries like Murder on the Orient Express and Knives Out. He wanted a big cast lots of suspects and a detective you really root for. He also mentioned the tone is just "him" meaning it is funny romantic emotional and not just one thing. It is a mix of comedy and mystery that just works.
Aduba is definitely the star. She is "funny to her marrow" and "magnetic". But the whole cast shines in this "gorgeous gleeful romp". If you need a break from reality and want to dive into a fun over-the-top whodunnit The Residence might be your perfect escape.
Key Talking Points: 'Adolescence' and 'The Residence' - Which Show is For You?
- Adolescence:
- Gripping crime drama inspired by real-world issues (knife crime toxic masculinity).
- Not based on a true story but raises very real concerns about youth today.
- Great for sparking conversations with teens about social media online influences and identity.
- Intense and thought-provoking may be emotionally heavy.
- The Residence:
- Lighthearted and comedic murder mystery set in the White House.
- Starring Uzo Aduba as a brilliant and quirky detective.
- Huge ensemble cast full of colorful suspects.
- Perfect for escapism and fun if you love whodunnits with a side of absurdity.