Entertainment

Louis Theroux Explains Why Andrew Tate Isn't in ‘Manosphere' Documentary

Louis Theroux has revealed why the most high‑profile figure associated with the online “manosphere,” Andrew Tate, did not appear in his latest Netflix documentary.

The documentarian's new film, Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere, explores the extreme fringes of online masculinity culture, with Theroux embedding himself among influencers who promote rigid and reductive views about gender, power and relationships.

Over the course of the documentary, Theroux, 55, interviews and follows several prominent figures in the space, including Harrison Sullivan, known online as HS Tikky Tokky, Fresh and Fit podcast host Myron Gaines, streamer Sneako, entrepreneur Justin Waller and influencer Ed Matthews.

Despite Tate's status as the most notorious and widely recognized figure linked to the movement, neither Andrew Tate nor his brother, Tristan, features in the film-though, according to Theroux, it was not for lack of effort.

Speaking recently on The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Theroux explained that he had been in contact with both brothers throughout the production process.

“Over the year of filming, I was messaging Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate quite a lot back and forth, and he was, like, ‘maybe I’m going to do it if you pay me’ and I said, ‘we’re not going to pay you,'” Theroux added.

According to the documentarian, Tate rejected the proposal outright, questioning the filmmaker's relevance. As Theroux told it, Tate responded by saying: “Well, why would I talk to you? You’re not relevant anymore.”

Theroux went on to explain that Tate then sent him a Google Trends graph comparing how often each of them had been searched online over the past four to five years. Theroux said his own line appeared flat and red next to Tate's sharply rising blue line-except for one brief moment where the lines crossed.

“So, I screenshot and circled that and I said, ‘I’m literally more relevant than you are.'”‘ I felt pretty gangster,” Theroux said.

Inside the Manosphere marks Theroux's first feature‑length documentary for Netflix and sees him adopt his trademark immersive style, spending extended periods with his subjects both on‑ and off‑camera.

The film examines how manosphere influencers build their audiences, monetize controversy, and cultivate loyal followings of mostly young men through livestreams, podcasts and social media platforms.

Inside the Manosphere also considers the wider cultural impact of this content and the ways it has increasingly entered mainstream online discourse.

Theroux, who has spent more than three decades making documentaries, is known for tackling controversial and uncomfortable subjects, from white supremacists and cults to sexual abuse scandals and extremist movements.

The Tate brothers have become poster boys of the “manfluencer” movement, becoming widely popular in 2021.

In the U.K., Andrew Tate is facing a lawsuit scheduled for June 2026, brought by four women who allege rape, sexual assault and coercive control-claims he has denied.

Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere is available to stream on Netflix now.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published March 11, 2026 at 9:33 AM.

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