Louis Theroux's latest documentary, 'Inside the Manosphere', arrives late to a well-covered topic, but offers a slightly harder edge than his usual style. However, critics say it fails to adequately examine how online misogyny affects women and girls who are not part of the movement.
The film features interviews with figures like Harrison Sullivan, known as hstikkytokky, who promotes anti-women 'red pill' ideology. Theroux manages to break through some posturing, notably when he questions Sullivan's superficiality during a workout session. Yet the documentary largely focuses on the childhoods of its subjects rather than the broader societal impact.
While the girlfriends, wives, and mothers of these men appear briefly, they are rarely seen again once the men realize they could go off-script. Critics argue Theroux should have explored how the manosphere affects schoolgirls, teachers, and young women who encounter men influenced by this content.
The documentary covers familiar ground, including the monetization of extreme content and the aggression towards women. Theroux's shift from his usual 'ignorant-ingenue' persona is welcomed, but the lack of focus on the victims of misogyny leaves a significant gap in the narrative.
