Louis Theroux released a documentary titled 'Inside the Manosphere' on Netflix, which explores influencers promoting masculinity, misogyny, and opposition to feminism in content aimed at young boys. The documentary became the most-watched film on Netflix at the time of reporting. In the film, Theroux interviewed influencers including Harrison Sullivan (HSTikkyTokky), Myron Gaines, and Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy (Sneako), and it shows very young boys obsessing over extremist influencers and declaring themselves 'huge fans'. Theroux emphasized the need to expose those who denigrate women while noting they prey on young men's insecurities.
A prominent figure featured is Andrew Tate, a manosphere influencer with 11 million followers on X/Twitter. Tate labels himself as the 'world's first and original truly global misogynist' and insists women are nothing but 'sex workers'. He makes money through his subscription-based platform The Real World, which teaches alternative income generation such as cryptocurrency, with plans costing $99 a month and $499 a month. A cyberhack in late 2024 exposed that The Real World was generating around $5.65 million monthly.
Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan are facing 21 charges in the UK including rape, assault, human trafficking, and controlling prostitution, which they deny. They are due to be extradited to the UK after proceedings in Romania conclude, based on a European arrest warrant for separate allegations of rape and human trafficking. Additionally, Andrew Tate is facing civil action from four women in the UK who have accused him of rape and assault.
We should absolutely expose and be aware of anyone who disparages and denigrates women. But alongside that, these guys are preying on young men, cultivating insecurities. I think things may get worse before they get better.
In response to the growing influence of such figures, the UK government announced a new £20 million scheme to teach young boys the perils of misogyny as part of their violence against women and girls strategy. Research found that four out of ten young men hold a positive view of sexist commentators. All secondary schools in England will be required to teach students about healthy and respectful relationships.
Parents have shared terror after watching the documentary and plan to show it to their sons. Netflix's drama series 'Adolescence' told the story of a 13-year-old boy who murders his classmate after becoming radicalised by online extremist misogyny.
Months before Theroux's documentary, James Blake fronted a BBC documentary titled 'Men of the Manosphere', which focuses on three young men in the UK and Northern Ireland who were influenced by the manosphere, rather than on the influencers themselves. In that film, Sam, a 16-year-old subject, has swapped real-life friendships for an online community of like-minded males seeking self-improvement, and his best friend is a 17-year-old from the US named Vincent, whom he has never met in person. James Blake's documentary encourages tenderness, kindness, and understanding towards those influenced by the manosphere.
Influencers in Theroux's documentary make money from followers through charging for content, promoting online trading schemes, and offering advice on 'winning at life'.