Louis Theroux's Manosphere Documentary Deemed 'Most Chilling Yet' by Critics
Louis Theroux's latest documentary, Inside The Manosphere, has been released on Netflix to widespread critical acclaim, with many reviewers hailing it as his "most chilling documentary yet." The 90-minute film, which premiered on Wednesday 11 March, delves into the world of extremist male influencers and their impact on young boys in society.
A Deep Dive into Toxic Online Masculinity
With rare access and no holds barred, the acclaimed documentarian investigates a growing ultra-masculine network and its controversial influencers. Theroux, 55, travels to Marbella, Miami, and New York to meet content creators from the extreme end of the "manosphere," the toxic online network of misogynistic male influencers. Key figures interviewed include Harrison Sullivan (known as HSTikkyTokky), Myron Gaines, and Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy (Sneako).
The film explores how these influencers profit from sharing extreme, anti-feminist views online. For example, Sullivan drives fans towards OnlyFans creators and financial apps through his Telegram group of half a million people, despite openly expressing disdain for such platforms. When questioned by Theroux about this contradiction, Sullivan unapologetically stated, "I openly say I don't give a f**k, and I'm doing it for money."
Critical Reception: From Quivering Sofas to Addictive Viewing
Critics have responded with a mix of horror and fascination. Benji Wilson of The Telegraph awarded the documentary five stars, writing in his headline: "As a father of teenage boys, Louis Theroux’s film had me quivering behind the sofa." He elaborated, "I like horror films, but as a father of two teenage boys, I was quivering behind the sofa like the lily-livered beta I am while watching Louis Theroux’s latest documentary."
Adam Bloodworth of City AM gave it four stars, calling it "horrid, addictive viewing." He noted the documentary's contrast with modern media, stating, "In technological terms at least, there hasn’t ever been such a clear example of how documentaries – and traditional media – are old hat." Bloodworth pointed out that while Theroux's team takes months to film and edit, some influencers argue their live-streamed content is more authentic.
Sam Haysom of Mashable highlighted how the interviews expose similarities among the influencers: "They all share extreme views, they're anti-feminist, and – crucially – they've all found a way to profit from sharing these views online."
Controversial Themes and Theroux's Approach
The documentary doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of the manosphere. Alana Anderson of Metro, who awarded four stars, emphasized, "It’s not just the anti-woman rhetoric and resentment which is folded into the film. The racism is so casual within the manosphere that it’ll make you see red." She described one particularly uncomfortable moment where Theroux faced vile antisemitic comments during filming.
Carol Midgley of The Times (four stars) noted Theroux's attempt to "chip away at their macho façades" and reveal "the vulnerable lost boys beneath." She cited examples of the influencers' views, such as advocating for "one-way monogamy" where women remain faithful while men are free to pursue others. Midgley also mentioned a revealing extra footage scene where Sullivan's mother reprimands him, showing a woman he respects.
However, not all reviews were entirely positive. Lucy Mangan of The Guardian (three stars) felt Theroux was covering ground already explored by other documentarians, though she praised his slightly harder approach compared to his usual "ignorant-ingenue" style. An Irish Times journalist criticized the lack of female input, stating, "It’s all very well for Theroux to be mildly discombobulated on behalf of women, but often this feels like a conversation about misogyny without any contribution from the people at whom the hate is directed."
Broader Context and Impact
The film has been brought to wider attention partly due to the hit Netflix drama Adolescence, which previously highlighted similar themes. Theroux attributes association with the manosphere to broken childhoods in some cases, such as Sullivan's single mother working six-day weeks to put him through private school, and Gaines nearly being placed into foster care.
Despite the grim subject matter, critics agree that Theroux remains a compelling journalist to tackle these issues. As Bloodworth concluded, "What they’re spewing is vile and Theroux is still absolutely the journalist to take these men to task." The documentary serves as a stark examination of a disturbing online movement, leaving viewers both horrified and captivated by its unflinching probe into modern masculinity gone awry.
