Louis Theroux says he was an incel years before the Manosphere trend

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Louis Theroux, while making his documentary about the ‘manosphere,’ realized he shared beliefs with its members much earlier in his life – before the term ‘incel’ became widely known. He now recognizes traits of the ‘incel’ ideology in his younger self, based on his interviews with controversial content creators.

Louis Theroux’s new Netflix documentary sparked a lot of online discussion after he investigated creators like HStikkytokky and Myron Gaines, exploring how they’ve become central to the online Manosphere movement.

The Netflix documentary sparked outrage, with some viewers concerned it gave a voice to controversial figures promoting harmful beliefs. Many were also disturbed by the deeply misogynistic views expressed throughout the film. These views often stem from “incel” culture, which is connected to the broader “Manosphere” – a community where men who identify as involuntarily celibate frequently blame women for their lack of romantic relationships.

So, I was reading an interview with Theroux, and he dropped this pretty surprising thing – he said he basically fit the description of an ‘incel’ way before that term even became a thing online. It’s wild to think about, considering how much that whole ‘Manosphere’ thing is everywhere now. He was saying he felt that way long before it was trending on social media.

Louis Theroux says he related to incel culture “before it was fashionable”

On the Modern Wisdom podcast, Theroux shared that he used to understand some of the concerns voiced by people involved in the Manosphere. He jokingly said he felt like an ‘incel’ even before that term became well-known, explaining he could relate to the feeling of being overlooked and wanting a romantic connection. He wondered why he seemed to be the only one without anyone interested in him.

He clarified that those identifying as incels within the Manosphere aren’t necessarily malicious individuals, but rather young people—often boys and men—struggling to find their place in the world.

Theroux explained that in a world where traditional security and beliefs are fading, people are seeking connection, even if it’s just a one-way relationship with someone they admire. They’re also drawn to displays of wealth and power – things like physical strength, fast cars, and a lot of money – which he feels is self-explanatory.

I found it really interesting what Louis Theroux said about social media. He thinks something similar is happening with women, but instead of showing off achievements, it’s more about looks. He basically said there’s this whole world – think Kim Kardashian or even someone like Bonnie Blue – where women are made to feel insecure about how they look, and then they’re sold products to ‘fix’ it. It’s like sponsored content preys on those insecurities, and some of those beauty products are probably not even that great. It’s a really insightful point, I think.

Theroux explained that he thinks a new kind of female role model is emerging. He personally prefers a natural look, but he understands he doesn’t define beauty standards.

Louis Theroux’s documentary, Inside the Manosphere, is now available on Netflix. His earlier film, Adolescence, also on Netflix, received praise for powerfully showing the tragic consequences of incel culture, specifically after a teenage girl was killed by a classmate she had rejected.

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2026-03-23 15:50