Tom Harwood has sparked a fierce online debate after questioning why a number of prominent “manosphere” influencers have converted to Islam, following the release of Louis Theroux’s controversial Netflix documentary.
Inside the Manosphere has sparked widespread debate since its release, climbing to the top of the platform’s charts while drawing criticism over its handling of toxic online culture.
The film explores a network of influencers promoting so-called “alpha masculinity” to young men, but critics, including Women’s Aid, have argued it fails to confront the scale of misogyny underpinning the movement fully.
The GB News presenter weighed in on the discussion, sharing his thoughts on X after watching the programme in full.
Tom Harwood
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GB NEWSTom wrote on X: “I just finished watching Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere.
“It’s a fascinating look at some of the most odious people on the internet. Their medieval attitudes towards women, gay people, and jews.”
The People’s Channel presenter continued: “And yet it seemed to sidestep explicitly highlighting a rather significant point regarding their ideology.
“From Sneako to Andrew Tate, why have so many of these manosphere influencers converted to Islam?”
Louis Theroux: Inside The Manosphere | NETFLIX
Mr Harwood’s comments quickly gained traction online, prompting a wave of responses and sparking further debate about the themes raised in the documentary.
“Because their supporter demographics are overwhelmingly non-White,” one person wrote.
Another added: “Because their target demographic isn’t just young white men. A lot of damage has been caused by assuming young white men are all far right, when the total opposite is true.”
A third viewer penned: “In the West the femosphere is way more powerful and the smaller manosphere is mainly a reaction to that – but Islam represents a systemic and potentially global manosphere. People don’t want to make the connection – the same people who bleat on about the manosphere including feminists, weirdly support Islamic causes.”
I just finished watching Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere.
It’s a fascinating look at some of the most odious people on the internet. Their medieval attitudes towards women, gay people, and jews.
And yet it seemed to sidestep explicitly highlighting a rather significant…
— Tom Harwood (@tomhfh) March 19, 2026
“Muslims are the youngest demographic who grew up insecure about their faith. They grew up with Islam being portrayed negatively so when an influencer says something positive about Islam, they naturally flock to him. Opportunistic guys like Sneako take advantage of that,” penned a fourth.”
However, not everyone supported Mr Harwood’s take.
“What’s with your medieval attitude towards Muslims?” one angry viewer penned.
Another said: “People like you are the problem!”
Women’s Aid has described the documentary as “uncomfortable, yet absolutely essential viewing” while warning it fails to fully confront the scale of misogyny within the online subculture.
The charity said the film raises important questions but does not go far enough in examining the harmful attitudes towards women that underpin manosphere communities.
Head of External Affairs Isabelle Younane noted that while influencers claim to offer young men a “cheat code” to success, this often comes “hand in hand with misogyny”.
The organisation also raised concerns about the rise of “trad wives” content and cited research suggesting young people exposed to misogynistic material are significantly more likely to view physical harm as acceptable.
Urging stronger action, Women’s Aid called for better education around healthy relationships and greater responsibility from tech companies, stressing: “Misogyny is at the core of all violence against women and girls.”