Last year, I binge-watched all four episodes of the Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning Netflix show Adolescence—twice over the course of a week. The reason I needed to view it twice in its entirety was that its thought-provoking message spotlights how the current misogynistic culture has had an impact on young boys and men in the world today. The show has introduced me, and countless other parents, to the idea of the “manosphere.” The manosphere refers to an online culture promoting toxic masculinity and extreme views on gender roles.
So, it was hardly a surprise that Netflix delved deeper into the manosphere with the release of the documentary, Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere, which highlights real-life figures within the subculture. And, just like with Adolescence, it’s been a watch I can’t seem to shake from my brain.
From the very moment my husband and I found out we were having a son, the idea and teachings of the manosphere absolutely terrified us. I have a nearly 4-year-old daughter and a 7-month-old son. And while the reality of the internet and its influence hasn’t quite reached my household yet, reflecting on the manosphere could help me (and other parents) navigate this topic now and in the future. I’m sharing what Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere is about, how the manosphere influences society today, and what parents can do to combat this ideology with their own kids.
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What is ‘Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere’ about?
In the Netflix documentary, British journalist and documentarian Louis Theroux investigates the online subculture known as the “manosphere.” Through influence on the internet and social media, the manosphere promotes extremist views about masculinity, gender roles, and the role men play in relationships. Interviewing several figures who are at the forefront of the manosphere, Theroux lifts the curtain on how these prominent figures speak, live, and feel.
Theroux dives into the emotional vulnerabilities that can draw young men into these spaces, all while unpacking the troubling messaging it portrays about women, power, and entitlement. He highlights how women are often reduced to status symbols or adversaries, framed as something to be “won,” controlled, or blamed for men’s frustrations. Success is often framed in terms of dominance—financial, social, and even sexual—promoting a worldview that casts empathy as a weakness. And things like attention, respect, or relationships are something you’re entitled to rather than something that needs to be earned.
My takeaways from ‘Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere’
Just like Adolescence brought the idea of the manosphere to the forefront of the cultural conversation, Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere has as well. Here are some of my major takeaways from watching:
The manosphere views women as a threat
At its core, much of the manosphere is built on the idea that women are not just different from men but inherently oppositional to them. In these spaces, women are often framed as manipulative and hypergamous (constantly seeking higher-status partners). In the manosphere, women are ultimately responsible for men’s struggles in dating, relationships, and more. Instead of encouraging mutual understanding, this messaging paints relationships as a zero-sum game, where one gender’s gain is the other’s loss.
This is frightening because the framing creates a narrative where men are essentially told not to trust women—vulnerability is a liability. Because of this, women are positioned less as partners and more as obstacles to navigate or adversaries to outmaneuver.
“Women are positioned less as partners and more as obstacles to navigate or adversaries to outmaneuver.”
One of the most prominent voices Theroux interviews is Myron Gaines, whose real name is Amrou Fudl. Gaines is a co-host of the popular podcast Fresh & Fit. The podcast has built a massive following by promoting many of these ideas. Gaines frequently speaks about women in sweeping, dehumanizing generalizations, often reducing them to their appearance, age, or perceived value. His content thrives on confrontation with viral clips showing him arguing with female guests. He dismisses their perspectives and reinforces the notion that men must maintain dominance and control to succeed.
It’s easy to watch the documentary and feel enraged, especially as a woman. Hearing how men like Myron Gaines speak about (and to!) women and feminism is, frankly, disgusting. But to tune it out is to dismiss learning what many young men are hearing.
The manosphere is, first and foremost, a business
For so-called manosphere influencers, it’s a profitable business. Not one to mince words, Theroux described the manosphere quite succinctly in an interview with Wired. He stated, “It’s highly profitable to be a d*** on the internet,” and “It’s a business model of misogyny. Every controversial clip is a coin in the slot.” And he’s right.
The men create controversial content purposefully rage-baiting for clicks. Examples include saying women shouldn’t be able to vote, that men should be able to take on multiple wives, and more. With this tactic, they are garnering more engagement, views, and, consequently, more money in their bank accounts.
The manosphere targets vulnerable young men
The problem is that while many of the men know they’re profiting from engagement, the group they’re targeting comes in more earnestly. The main group that’s being targeted is young men, specifically, vulnerable ones who may feel powerless and lonely. A sense of belonging is exactly what these influencers are exploiting. In an interview with GQ, Theroux summed up just how young boys and men get sucked in. He shares that fans of these influencers “need something to feel less empty and to feel like [they’re] competing in the game of life.”
“The main group that’s being targeted is young men, specifically, vulnerable ones who may feel powerless and lonely.”
The manosphere is more than misogyny
As Theroux puts it, “The manosphere is an online ecosystem that repackages male grievance as self-improvement and hustle.” While misogyny is certainly at the core of what’s coming out of these podcasts, videos, and streams, it’s not necessarily the headline. Instead, viewers are being roped in with the promise of self-improvement, like a Pied Piper promising wealth, strength, and self-actualization. But, along the way, they’re poisoned with messages disparaging women and promoting ultra-toxic masculinity.
However, these promises are empty ones. The manosphere influencers care far more about their own money and power than about actually empowering their viewers.
Conspiracy theories are threaded through the manosphere
One of my biggest surprises from watching was learning how interlinked conspiracy theories are within the manosphere. Promoters and viewers of the manosphere have taken a very different view of the 1999 film The Matrix. The film follows a man who discovers his life is a controlled illusion and must choose whether to “wake up” to reality by taking a red pill. The “red pill” is a metaphor used prominently in manosphere teachings.
In the context of the manosphere, men believe they’re in a “matrix.” And taking the red pill is “waking up” to realize that society values women more than men. Things like maintaining monogamous relationships, supporting feminist ideology, being rewarded for kindness, and working hard are against their own interest. This ideology makes mainstream society the villain and amplifies camaraderie amongst those who believe the same conspiracy.
It can happen to anyone
Naively, I’ve often thought that there’s no way this could happen to my kid. After all, we speak openly and loudly about kindness. We’re honest about how our own views are at complete odds with how these personalities promote the manosphere.
However, after hearing Theroux speak with Harrison Sullivan, an English social media personality, proudly proclaim misogynistic and homophobic rhetoric, it’s apparent that being sucked into the manosphere can happen to anyone (regardless of what your parents’ own views are). In fact, Sullivan’s own mother disagrees with the way he speaks poorly about women, the gay community, and other races.
What parents can do
Do the research
The first step is simply knowing what’s out there. If you’re open to watching Adolescence and Inside the Manosphere, it may be helpful to start there. It’s certainly not easy to sit and listen to what they’re saying. But understanding the landscape means parents won’t be caught off guard if or when their child mentions something they’ve heard online. By doing research, parents may be better equipped to have an informed conversation rather than a reactive one.
Don’t avoid hard conversations about gender and respect
“Those in the manosphere embody a swaggering machismo,” says Theroux. The manosphere displays misogyny, homophobia, antisemitism, and racism. He adds, “These aren’t figures on the margins. Anyone who’s got kids, and especially boys, will know that they are making inroads into the culture. Their influence is being felt in schools, in the workplace, and all across the internet.”
Unfortunately, the manosphere is no longer just a fringe movement. It’s widespread. Even viewers who are not actively following some of these influencers know about what is being said—simply because the social media algorithm has made it that way. It can leave a pit in your stomach if you’re a parent. It’s not a matter of “This won’t happen to my kid,” but instead, “How do I react when they are exposed to the manosphere?”
And that’s why having conversations at home is so vitally important. Speaking openly about kindness, respecting women, and positive masculinity should be mainstays in all homes. Having these conversations—whether uncomfortable or not—is well worth having.
Stay curious about their digital world
Even if parents are restricting their child’s online presence, staying curious and up to date about the digital world is important. Kids have access to online content beyond their personal laptops and cell phones. Being exposed to the manosphere and its messaging can show up at school, on the bus, or even at a friend’s house.
Focus on connection, not just control
“I’m going to sound super-earnest, but I think we’re losing a generation of boys to a digital hall of mirrors,” says Theroux in the doc. The documentary reveals that the young men most vulnerable to the manosphere are those who feel lonely, purposeless, or unseen. The best protection parents can offer isn’t a parental control app: it’s a strong relationship.
“The best protection parents can offer isn’t a parental control app: it’s a strong relationship.”
Making sure your kid knows they are valued, heard, and loved unconditionally is so important. And this goes for your sons and your daughters. While the manosphere may target young men, one of the aspects of the documentary that stayed with me was how many women stuck around men like Myron Gaines, allowing themselves to be belittled and silenced.
The manosphere is a growing influence
After watching Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere, it’s easy to walk away feeling angry, unsettled, and even a little helpless. However, sitting in that discomfort is part of the point. This isn’t just a fringe corner of the internet. It’s a growing influence that’s shaping how young people see themselves and each other.
As parents, we can’t control every message our kids will encounter. What we can do is give them the tools to question what they hear, the confidence to reject harmful ideas, and the empathy to treat others with respect. If the manosphere thrives on isolation, insecurity, and division, then the most powerful thing we can offer our kids is connection, understanding, and a clear example of what healthy relationships actually look like.
Morgan Flaherty, Contributing Writer
Morgan is full-time writer, editor, and mom. Along with her work as a contributing writer for The Everymom on all things Disney World, beauty products, and the latest fashion trends, her writing has appeared in Well + Good, InStyle, Scary Mommy, Byrdie, and Baby Chick.
