Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere made one big mistake – here’s how it could have been fixed

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The internet has quickly become a huge part of our lives, changing how we connect, have fun, learn, and work. It’s too early to say if these changes are ultimately good or bad – that’s something future generations will likely look back on, especially considering how much our focus has shifted to grabbing and holding people’s attention online.

The subjects of Louis Theroux’s documentary, Inside the Manosphere, appear to crave attention above all else, readily abandoning moral principles in their pursuit of it. These individuals are leaders within the ‘Manosphere,’ an online community that champions a return to ‘traditional’ gender roles, prioritizing male dominance and downplaying women’s rights.

Alongside this, harmful and prejudiced beliefs – like sexism, racism, and homophobia – are often expressed simply to create shocking moments for media coverage and gain attention.

Even though these individuals spread hateful and illogical ideas, their young and easily influenced followers often believe everything they say. This is shaping a new generation of teenagers who are starting to think and act like them.

I’m really bothered by this problem, and honestly, I don’t think it’s getting the serious attention it needs. While I appreciate Theroux trying to shed light on it, I felt his exploration was too brief – it truly needed to be much more in-depth, maybe even doubled or tripled in length, to really do the issue justice.

Theroux acknowledges that the world of streaming is a rapidly changing and influential force, but his exploration of it feels superficial. He appears genuinely surprised by the popularity of some of the streamers he follows, even seeming lost for words as he observes them in places like Dubai. The usually unflinching documentarian, known for embracing awkward situations, finds himself surprisingly uncomfortable and out of his element.

The men featured in Inside the Manosphere appear deeply insecure, offering Louis Theroux plenty of potential paths to explore, but he doesn’t pursue any of them thoroughly. He mostly observes them from a distance, awkwardly asking questions that don’t go far enough. Given the importance of the subject matter, this approach feels insufficient.

It’s unclear if the streamers featured actually believe the hateful things they’re saying. The documentary itself loses interest in seriously investigating the reality behind the cryptocurrency schemes promoted within the Manosphere. Most importantly, the film largely ignores the real-world impact of this extreme hatred and hostility on young people, both men and women.

Just last year, Netflix’s drama Adolescence deeply explored these kinds of questions and had a significant cultural impact. The show was so powerful that its creators, along with related charities, were invited to speak with members of parliament about the issues it presented. Even Prime Minister Keir Starmer commented, saying that understanding the experiences of young people and charities is essential to addressing the important topics the show brought to light.

Keir Starmer is right to criticize the documentary. Louis Theroux’s exploration of the ‘Manosphere’ doesn’t really address the harm it causes to those affected by its ideas, and instead just mildly challenges the views of the people promoting them.

A full-length documentary feels showy, but doesn’t allow enough time to really explore this complex issue. A three-part series would have been a better approach. The current 90-minute film could serve as a strong first installment, with future episodes focusing on the young men who consume this content, and the women and others who have suffered from the resulting negativity and hate.

This method would not only highlight an important issue, but also more effectively challenge the beliefs of streamers who confidently see themselves as superior.

The documentary fails to offer solutions to the harmful ideas presented within the Manosphere, nor does it provide much help for those already caught up in it. While Louis Theroux is certainly capable of tackling complex issues, this film doesn’t seem to try and fundamentally challenge or dismantle the core beliefs of this online world.

Why are young men so easily influenced by these harmful figures, and what have we done to contribute to this? How did social media platforms allow these individuals to gain prominence and spread their messages? How can we effectively combat false information and teach young people about the experiences of marginalized groups? And how can we better support young women and girls who are constantly facing the consequences of this kind of sexism?

You’ll find no answers to such vital questions here.

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Authors

Calum Russell

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2026-03-18 13:35