Film Review: Adulthood

Director: Noel Clarke

The sequel to Kidulthood that was released in 2006, it features much of the same cast with the addition of Ben Drew (Plan B) and Danny Dyer although he only plays a small role fortunately. Adam Deacon then made another sequel called Anuvahood which was more of an urban comedy about an MC wanting to crack the big time.

Sam (Noel Clarke) and Jay (Adam Deacon)

The events of Adulthood take place 6 years after the end of Kidulthood when Sam (Noel Clarke) is released from prison for killing Trevor. At a cemetery where Trevor is buried, Sam is attacked by a cousin of Trevor's who threatens him by saying that numerous people want him dead and they'll do it by the end of the day. We also follow Dabs (Plan B) as he is introduced to the world of crime through Ike and gets a job off Jay (Adam Deacon) to kill Sam.

The follow-up is very similar in tone to its predecessor although everyone is now in there early twenties rather than young teenagers still at school. It is less shocking from the outset but realistically it would have been hard to match 15 year olds bullying each other, swearing, taking drugs and being generally antisocial. It isnt a film worth seeing without watching the first installment as the story very much follows on with all characters re-appearing except Trevor who died at the end of the first and Becky who is just said to be missing. Would have been interesting to see what happened to Becky so it's an opportunity missed for me.

Dabs (Ben Drew/Plan B) is arrested

The lack of shock factor and the cliché view of redemption for the characters all moving onto something slightly better in their lives means this really isn't a great follow up. The revenge against Sam for the murder of Trevor was entirely predictable from the minute you start watching the movie and the build up to the climax is either uninteresting or wholly unbelievable. For me this was a film too far to try and build on the success of the first film.

1.5/4 Well worn plot of revenge and redemption is too predictable