Louis Theroux's latest documentary, 'Inside the Manosphere', has been criticised as a flawed failure, with the filmmaker himself described as prickly and testy during interviews. The documentary, his Netflix debut, explores online misogyny, but critics argue it fails to deliver the incisive analysis expected from the veteran broadcaster.
Theroux, 55, known for his immersive documentaries on American subcultures, has built a career on asking uncomfortable questions. However, during a recent interview, he appeared defensive when questioned about the film. The interviewer noted his discomfort with recording devices and his tendency to read transcriptions aloud, creating a meta-loop that hindered conversation.
The documentary's reception follows a controversial podcast interview with musician Bobby Vylan, where Theroux faced backlash for not pressing Vylan on calls for 'death to every single IDF soldier'. Critics accused Theroux of 'soft-soaping' the guest, while he defended the interview as a 'difficult conversation' he was proud of. British Airways subsequently paused sponsorship of his podcast.
Despite his past successes, including a viral rap hit 'Jiggle Jiggle' and acclaimed documentaries on ultra-Zionist settlers, Theroux's latest project has been met with disappointment. The manosphere documentary, intended to expose toxic masculinity, has been labelled a missed opportunity, lacking the depth and edge of his earlier work.
