Louis Theroux’s Manosphere documentary is more terrifying than Adolescence
Louis Theroux’s Manosphere Documentary Spooks More Than Adolescence
One evening, after finally coaxing my energetic children into slumber, I turned to Netflix’s Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere. The show’s raw depiction of toxic masculinity immediately unsettled me, even though I knew the topic was familiar from my sons’ lives. Yet, the visceral language and ruthless attitudes on display made it feel far more ominous than the fictional story of a radicalized youth in Adolescence.
The Cultural Threat of Misogyny
Within the first minute, I encountered chilling statements like, “A man who’s not dangerous will never be seen as successful. You can’t be a little b***h,” and “Men against women. It’s an attack on masculinity.” These remarks, laced with cruelty, revealed a disturbing mindset: “If your b***h is going to a club when you said no, destroy her f***ing life.”
“A man who’s not dangerous will never be seen as successful. You can’t be a little b***h.”
“Men against women. It’s an attack on masculinity.”
“If your b***h is going to a club when you said no, destroy her f***ing life.”
An hour and a half later, I emerged more unsettled. The documentary painted a stark picture of how misogyny, bigotry, and belittlement have become cornerstones of modern online culture. I feared these ideologies would seep into my sons’ world, shaping their understanding of success and respect.
Real Men, Real Problems
While I once found solace in Adolescence—a fictional account of a boy’s descent into violence—figures like Harrison Sullivan (HSTikkyTokky), Myron Gaines, and Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy (Sneako) felt alarmingly authentic. Their wealth and fame seemed to fuel a perverse confidence, as they glorified hatred and domination.
Sullivan, in particular, offered a complex portrait. At times, he acknowledged his own flaws, admitting his mother would slap him for his views and recognizing the ideology he promotes as hateful. Yet, he argued that his success depended on his chauvinism, claiming, “If I were a better person, I wouldn’t make as much money.”
The Invisible Influence
Though Andrew Tate, the manosphere’s most infamous figure, was absent, his presence loomed large. Living in Bucharest, Romania, I’ve seen him zooming around in his sports cars, a symbol of the toxic lifestyle he embodies. Whether in person or on screen, these influencers are steadily eroding the values I hope my boys will embrace.
At eight and ten years old, my sons are still impressionable, eager to mimic the swagger and materialism these men project. Their sleek villas, cash-filled lives, and party scenes are alluring, especially when wrapped in the charm of YouTubers like MrBeast or gamers such as Foltyn and Ali-A. Even those who seem harmless carry an undercurrent of ideology.
A Parent’s Struggle
Trying to shield my boys from hate speech and crude language is a constant battle. But as they grow, the challenge intensifies. The manosphere’s influence is now woven into their daily digital experiences, offering a version of masculinity that feels more accessible than the one I model.
Theroux, the father of three sons, guided viewers through this treacherous terrain with his signature approach: stepping back to let the subjects speak freely. His mild demeanor contrasted sharply with the brash, often unfiltered men he interviewed, who seemed entirely out of their depth in this world of extremes.
Still, I persist in shaping their values—teaching them to respect women, reject prejudice, and value education. Yet, watching this documentary, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the manosphere’s grip is tightening, and its message is more potent than I anticipated.
