What is the secret language of the Netflix series Adolescence and what does it mean? We explain - Revista Merca2.0 | (2025)

• 28/03/2025
• English
• Written byBibiana Palacios

Two weeks after its premiere, the Netflix series Adolescencecontinues to make waves, as it has had a significant impact on the audience, mainly due to the themes it addresses throughout the story, which are connected to the reality that youth are currently experiencing.

The Argentine series tells the story of a 13-year-old teenager who is accused of murdering a schoolmate; however, as the episodes progress, certain terms appear that are used as a kind of secret language. Here we tell you what they are and what they mean.

What does the secret language of the Netflix series Adolescence mean?

Although the series is not based on a true story, as the creators were inspired by real events they saw in the news about young students involved in crimes with knives, the terms mentioned in the series do exist in real life and refer to things much darker than you think.

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Here are some of the terms that appear in the series:

• Manosphere: A collection of forums and digital communities where antifeminist ideas and distorted views about gender are propagated.
• 80/20 Rule: This theory suggests that 80% of women romantically connect only with the 20% of the most attractive men, leaving the rest with no chances in the romantic sphere.
• Incel (involuntary celibate): A term used to describe men who see themselves as incapable of having sexual relationships, blaming women and society for their situation. This group has grown on platforms like Reddit and 4chan, where hate speech and misogyny proliferate.
• Red Pill: Taken from the movie The Matrix, this metaphor is used to describe the supposed “awakening” of men to the “reality” about women and feminism, all from a misogynistic perspective.
• Blue Pill: Symbolizes the ignorance of those who have not adopted the manosphere mindset.
• Gynocentrism: The belief that society is organized for the benefit of women.
• Chad: A man perceived as hegemonic and highly desirable by women.
• Beta/Cuck: An average man, considered inferior to the “Chad”.
• Stacey: The female equivalent of “Chad”, characterized by being attractive and highly desired.
• Femoid/Foid: An abbreviation for “female humanoid”. A derogatory term used by incels.

What is the Netflix series Adolescence about?

This psychological thriller directed by Philip Barantini, with a script by Jack Thorne and starring Stephen Graham, consists of only four episodes shot in continuous takes.

The series tells the story of Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy who is arrested in northern England on suspicion of having murdered a schoolmate. As the plot unfolds, a detective and a therapist work hard to unravel the truth behind the crime.

Will there be a second season of Adolescence on Netflix?

Although Netflix has not commented on this, it seems unlikely to happen, given that the production is presented in a miniseries format, which typically tells the entire story in just a few episodes; however, the platform has renewed some miniseries in the past, so we will have to wait for an official announcement in the coming months.

Adolescence: FULL Cast

In addition to Owen Cooper, who made his acting debut in this series, other actors participate in the miniseries. Here is the main cast of the miniseries:

• Ashley Walters(Bascombe)
• Stephen Graham(Eddie Miller)
• Owen Cooper(Jamie Miller)
• Faye Marsay(DS Misha Frank)
• Christine Tremarco(Manda Miller)
• Jo Hartley(Mrs. Fenumore)
• Austin Haynes(Fredo)
• Amelie Pease(Lisa Miller)
• Noah Mason(Backpack Kid)
• Amari Bacchus(Adam Bascombe)
• Bidi Iredale(Eileen)
• Mark Stanley(Paul Barlow)
• Erin Doherty(Briony Ariston)
• Hannah Walters(Mrs. Bailey)
• Douglas Russell(Victor)
• Melissa Johns(Carla)
• Faye McKeever(Erica)
• Neil Bell(Sgt Golding)

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