Check out this interesting commentary published by CREST on the Netflix series Adolescence and its links to the real-world spread of incel and manosphere ideologies. While fictional, the show draws heavily on actual online subcultures, making it a valuable lens to understand how misogynistic narratives are reaching young people.
Dr Lewys Brace explains how Adolescence highlights the growing disconnect between parents and their children’s digital lives. The show accurately portrays incel beliefs like the “80/20 rule,” red pill ideology, and the so-called “black pill” fatalism—terms drawn from real online spaces where men express resentment towards women and frustration about their social status.
Brace points out that these ideas are becoming more mainstream. Influencers like Andrew Tate have played a role, but broader trends are also at work: Gen Z men are becoming more conservative, young people are spending more time online, and loneliness is rising. This environment can fuel personal grievances that get shaped by toxic online communities.
The series Adolescence offers a starting point for wider conversations—about how we understand the links between online cultures and offline harm, and how we can intervene early. Read the full CREST commentary to explore more.