By Charlie Kendellen
Contains Spoilers for Adolescence
Netflix’s Adolescence (2025) has taken the world by storm. Earning over 24 million viewers within its first week of release, this limited series has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on audiences, specifically parents to young teenagers themselves.
The series has opened up the discussion surrounding toxic masculinity and the manosphere, particularly for formerly blissfully unaware parents. Adolescence explores themes such as intergenerational trauma, right wing incel culture, and poses questions of accountability and responsibility. It has forced parents to be more aware of content their children are consuming online, drawing attention to the impact of social media on mental health, and the impression right wing influencers, such as Andrew Tate, are having on young developing minds.
There are a variety of films that explore the themes of masculinity and contemporary teenage culture that will certainly satiate the appetites of those who enjoyed the masterclass writing and hyper realistic acting seen in Adolescence.
Moonlight (2016)
Barry Jenkins’ beautifully poetic Moonlight follows a young man’s search for identity whilst grappling with his own sexuality. This film contains a much more tender and emotional take on masculinity. Winner of three Academy awards, including best motion picture, best performance by an actor in a supporting role (Mahershala Ali), and best adapted screenplay.
Monster (2023)
Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Monster is a rewarding slow burn that follows a desperate mother’s actions to find out the truth behind her son’s recent behaviour in school. Winner of best screenplay at Cannes Film Festival.
We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
Lynne Ramsay’s domestic thriller We Need to Talk About Kevin provides an unflinching depiction of motherhood and toxic masculinity, leaving nothing to the imagination in showing the dangers of forced parenthood and personality disorders in teenagers. Nominated for three BAFTA awards, including best British film, best director, and best leading actress (Tilda Swinton).
How to Have Sex (2023)
Molly Manny Walker’s incredible directorial debut How to Have Sex provides an objective view of what teenagers are getting up to and, more specifically, the drinking and hook-up culture that is so prevalent amongst young teenagers. Nominated for three BAFTA awards, including outstanding British film of the year, outstanding debut by a British director, and best casting (Isabella Odoffin).
Kids (1995)
Larry Clark’s ultra-disturbing Kids should probably come with a content warning due to its explicit (and often argued, exploitative) content involving children, however, this film does not hold back in depicting how many adolescents engage in drugs, drinking, and casual sex, making it a must-watch for any fans of disturbing cinema.
These films, at a glance, provide us with an unbiased look into teenage culture and contemporary notions of toxic masculinity. If you enjoyed Adolescence and have since been searching for something with similar themes, this list is guaranteed to keep you busy!