In case you hadn't already cried enough (sorry we mean wept intensely) while watching Netflix's Adolescence, we're about to give you another reason to shed some tears. The secret meaning behind the final song in the series has been revealed, and honestly, someone pass us the tissues.
The four-part series tells the story of 13-year-old Jamie (Owen Cooper) who is accused of the murder of a teenage girl called Katie. The final episode focusses on Jamie's dad, mum and sister, and explores the impact his crime has had on them. We watch as his dad, played by Stephen Graham, tries to celebrate his birthday, only to discover that Jamie has decided to switch his plea to guilty ahead of his upcoming trial.
After talking with his wife and Jamie's mother, played by Christine Tremarco, about the level of responsibility they should take for Jamie's actions, he goes into his son's room and sobs. It's a heartbreaking scene to watch as he tucks Jamie's teddy bear into the bed and apologises to his son who isn't there. As the scene comes to a close a haunting song comes on which is a rendition of "Through the Eyes of a Child" by AURORA.
AURORA is a Norwegian singer, and the song comes from her 2016 debut album All My Demons Greeting Me As a Friend. Following the release of Adolescence, AURORA took to Instagram to reflect on the song's inclusion in the series, saying she finds it "beautiful".
Writing on her profile, alongside a video from the TV series, she said: "It’s a strange and wonderful thing to see people connecting with this song. The world around me has changed so much since I wrote it. And now the words mean a lot more to me. The deep need for the world to stop neglecting the inner child, and confusing innocence with weakness. I hope the song gives people something good. It was always written in the hope that it would find people and treat them kindly. Though it’s strange to me, that it’s out there living its own life- I find it very beautiful ✨ ."
Adolescence's director Philip Barantini has also shed some light onto why the song was used in the final scene, saying to Tudum he "couldn’t stop thinking about it [the song]". Barantini also revealed they discovered the actress who plays Katie, Emilia Holliday, can sing and so they wanted to include her vocals within the track.
The heartbreaking reason why they included her vocals? "Katie is a part of the whole series. Her presence is always there," Barantini revealed.
Sorry, excuse us while we sob again.
Adolescence is available on Netflix
