Netflix’s Adolescence isn’t your typical teen drama. It’s raw, woozy, and at times, difficult to watch — not because of the cinematography (which is gorgeous), or the acting (which is decent), but because of how closely it connects with the chaos that defines our generation. The series follows Jamie, a 13-year-old boy who’s arrested for killing a girl at his school—and that’s not a spoiler, that’s literally the first scene. From there, it explains everything that led to that moment: his isolation, home life, the internet, and the boys he thought were his friends. It’s a four-episode anxiety spiral filmed in single takes, which makes it feel less like a show and more like being trapped in someone else’s nightmare. And honestly? I was locked in. Like when I have to study for AP Physics, level locked in.

But while watching, I made a chaotic little list of notes. Here are 40 completely real thoughts I had while watching Adolescence: 

1. Oh no, he’s that kind of boy.
2. I need a break, and we’re not even 10 minutes in. 
3. Mental health remains stigmatized
4. This feels like Tumblr trauma-core.
   
5. Is that supposed to be romantic or terrifying?
   
6. It must be difficult to be a police officer in that situation.
7. If trauma had a TikTok account, it would look like this.
8. This soundtrack slaps harder than my GPA.
   
9. That party smells like regret.
   
10. Someone get this kid a therapist, stat.
    
11. Why is no one calling the cops?
    
12. The fragility of adolescence.
    
13. I’ve seen this in a Lana Del Rey song.
    
14. Red flag. Red flag. Red flag.
    
15. This is not how first love is supposed to feel.
    
16. And yet, it’s always exactly like this.
    
17. He’s spiraling, and I’m spiraling with him.
    
18. The editing makes me feel hungover.
    
19. The echo chambers of the internet.
    
20. This is the part where everything breaks.
    
21. Yep. There it goes.
    
22. Why does pain look so cinematic?
    
23. This isn’t coming-of-age, it’s coming-undone.
    
24. These Detectives are giving “Sherlock Holmes is my uncle” energy.
25. Okay, but shoutout to the cinematographer.
    
26. Bro is clearly NOT okay.
    
27. It’s not just about what he did — it’s why.
28. He’s not a bad kid. He’s dangerous.
    
29. When did teen movies become so real?
    
30. “Boys will be boys” is literally the problem.
    
31. I’m rooting for him, and I hate that.
    
32. I feel bad for the parents.
    
33. Where are the counselors?? Hello??
    
34. This whole show is a cry for help.
    
35. The silence between scenes says more than dialogue.
    
36. The foreshadowing is punching me in the face.
    
37. Nothing good happens in abandoned parking lots.
    
38. How many Jamies are out there?
    
39. I can’t tell if I want to cry or scream.
    
40. I will never forget this show. Ever.