Netflix’s Adolescence has taken over screens everywhere, pulling in a massive 24.3 million views in just four days and topping the platform’s charts. The series has everyone talking about its raw take on youth violence and toxic masculinity, and it lingers in your mind long after the credits roll.
If you’re still reeling from its intense storytelling and are craving something just as gripping to watch next, we’ve got you covered. From chilling psychological thrillers to high-stakes courtroom dramas, these picks dive deep into trauma, justice, and the weight of past actions.
Here are 9 must-watch films and shows like Adolescence.
1. We Need to Talk About Kevin
Where to stream: MUBI, MHz Choice, Pluto TV, Philo, Peacock, Prime Video, Tubi, and Plex
About: Based on the bestselling book by Lionel Shriver, We Need to Talk About Kevin is a chilling psychological drama that unravels the fractured relationship between a mother and her deeply disturbed son. Through fragmented memories and haunting visuals, the film explores guilt, nature versus nurture, and the inescapable weight of maternal grief.
2. The Social Dilemma
Where to stream: Netflix
About: A gripping Netflix documentary that exposes the hidden manipulations of social media platforms and their impact on society. Blending expert interviews with dramatised storytelling, it reveals how algorithms fuel addiction, misinformation, and polarisation in the digital age.
3. Broadchurch
Where to stream: SBS On Demand
About: This gripping British crime drama ran from 2013–2017 and follows two detectives (Olivia Coleman and David Tennant) investigating a small-town murder. With breathtaking coastal scenery and deeply emotional storytelling, the series explores grief, suspicion, and the ripple effects of tragedy over its three critically acclaimed seasons.
4. Presumed Innocent
Where to stream: AppleTV+
About: When a top prosecutor (Jake Gyllenhaal) becomes the prime suspect in a brutal murder, his fight for justice turns into a desperate battle for his own freedom. Presumed Innocent is a taut legal thriller that weaves deception, desire, and moral ambiguity into a suspenseful courtroom drama.
5. Mindhunter
Where to stream: Netflix
About: Fans of Adolescence might enjoy the now-cancelled Mindhunter for its chilling exploration of the human psyche, as two FBI agents interview incarcerated serial killers to understand their motivations. Like Adolescence, the show delves into dark, complex characters and the psychological impact of trauma, all set against a tense, atmospheric backdrop.
6. Defending Jacob
Where to stream: AppleTV+
About: A murder. A teenage suspect. A family caught between love and doubt. Sound familiar? AppleTV+'s Defending Jacob unravels in quiet dread, layering courtroom tension with the unsettling question: how far will a parent go to protect their child when the truth remains elusive?
7. Your Honour
Where to stream: Stan
About: Bryan Cranston delivers a gripping performance as a respected judge who descends into corruption after his son is involved in a fatal hit-and-run. Your Honour is a tense, high-stakes thriller that twists morality and justice, forcing one man to risk everything to protect his family.
8. The Night Of
Where to stream: BINGE or Foxtel Now.
About: A simple night out turns into a nightmare when a young man wakes up next to a murdered woman and is thrust into the unforgiving justice system. This one's a gripping crime drama that unpacks guilt, racial bias, and the psychological toll of incarceration with haunting realism.
9. The Sinner
Where to stream: Netflix or buy it as a download on Fetch TV or Apple TV.
About: Jessica Biel delivers perhaps her best acting performance in The Sinner as a seemingly ordinary woman who commits a shocking act of violence with no clear motive. This gripping psychological thriller unravels her buried past, peeling back layers of trauma and guilt to reveal the dark truth.
