Hideo Kojima Reveals His Unexpected Top TV Pick for 2025
A celebrated game designer has chosen a Netflix drama as his standout series of the year, lauding its unique filming style and honest depiction of family life. Find out which show has captured his attention.
Hideo Kojima, renowned for his sharp takes on film and television, has named his standout television series for 2025. The acclaimed creator, best known for his work in the gaming world, has turned his attention to a Netflix drama that quietly became a sensation earlier this year. His choice? The limited series Adolescence, which has sparked widespread discussion since its release in March.
As part of a feature for Vulture’s ‘The Culturati 50’, where leading figures from across the creative industries select their cultural highlights, Kojima singled out Adolescence as the year’s most impressive series. The show ultimately topped the list, earning the highest number of votes in the television category.
One-Shot Brilliance and Raw Emotion
Kojima praised the series for its technical prowess and emotional depth, remarking,
A masterful fusion of meticulously calculated one-shot cinematography and direction that draws out the show’s core themes. It vividly exposes the fear and anguish experienced by both children in their formative years and the families who watch over them.
This is not the first time he has spoken highly of the programme. Back in March, Kojima shared his initial impressions on Twitter, stating,
I watched the first episode of Adolescence on Netflix. It’s good. It’s impressive. It’s filmed in a single continuous shot from start to finish… The characters, drama, and mystery are all brilliantly portrayed. I have to keep watching this.
Real-Time Storytelling and Topical Themes
Adolescence was created by Jack Thorne, known for his work on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, alongside Stephen Graham, who also stars in the series. The story centres on a family thrown into turmoil when their 13-year-old son, Jamie, is accused of murdering a classmate. The drama delves into contemporary issues, including the perils of social media and the impact of harmful online content on young people. Notably, much of the series unfolds in real time, lending it a striking sense of immediacy and authenticity.
The show’s approach to storytelling, particularly its use of continuous, unbroken shots, has been widely recognised as a technical achievement. This method not only heightens the tension but also grounds the narrative in a reality that resonates with viewers.
Critical Acclaim and Awards Success
Adolescence has enjoyed both critical and popular success. It currently holds a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has become Netflix’s second most-watched English-language series, drawing in 142.6 million viewers within its first three months. The series received thirteen Emmy nominations, securing wins in several categories, including Best Lead Actor for Stephen Graham and Best Supporting Actor for Owen Cooper, who portrays Jamie. According to Vulture, more than half of the voters also considered Cooper’s performance the year’s finest.
Adolescence is now available to stream, and its blend of technical innovation and unflinching storytelling continues to spark conversation among audiences and critics alike.