- The creators of Adolescence have set their next project
- It’s a remake of one of the most harrowing films ever
- What is Threads about – and why is it so bad?
The creative team behind Adolescence are remaking one of the most harrowing movies ever made – but what is Threads about?
Released earlier this year, Adolescence became Netflix’s latest word-of-mouth megahit. Chilling and sombre, it told sadly familiar tale of a young boy accused of killing a female school friend.
Read more: Is Stephen Graham drama Adolescence based on a true story?
While many believed it might have been based on a true story, it actually wasn’t. Instead, series creators Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham said they wanted to shine a light on the stark realities of childhood knife crime. They also wanted to look at the ways it affects entire families.
While Adolescence was a fictional narrative, it spoke to people in a very real way. Its four, one-take episodes shot to the top of the strearmer’s charts. The series currently holds a 99% fresh critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Read more: Adolescence writer rejects Elon Musk’s race theory
Now, the producers behind the show have confirmed their next project – and it’s set to be just as troubling. So what is Threads about – and why is now a pertinent time for a revival?
Here’s what you need to know.
What is Threads about?
As reported on places like Deadline, Warp Films, the production company behind Adolescence, have signed on to do a TV adaptation of Threads.
Written by Barry Hines, directed by Mick Jackson and released in 1984, Threads is a gritty and grounded drama that shows the impact and ultimate fall out from a Nuclear war.
To tell this story, it brings audiences to Sheffield, a small English city that is hit by nuclear bomb after a conflict between America and Iran reaches boiling point.
To tell their story, Jackson and Hines focus on a number of survivors – regular people forced to endure the dangerous conditions caused by the bomb and a Government task forced charged with rebuilding some kind of society.
The end result is one of the most difficult to view dramas ever produced. After its debut in 1984, it was never again aired publicly until more than 40 years later due to content that audiences found “horrifying”.
Why is the time right for a remake?
With news cycles constantly reminding us of conflicts between countries and social media addictions fracturing society and dividing the public, the time feels right for a Threads remake.
It’s something that Warp Films identified and used to inspire their decision to remake the movie.
“Threads was, and remains, an unflinchingly honest drama that imagines the devastating effects of nuclear conflict on ordinary people,” explained company boss Mark Herbert.
“This story aligns perfectly with our ethos of telling powerful, grounded narratives that deeply connect with audiences. Reimagining this classic film as a TV drama gives us a unique opportunity to explore its modern relevance.”
