AceShowbiz - On March 13, 2025, Netflix launched the four-part drama series Adolescence, which became a cultural phenomenon. Praised for its technical feat of filming each episode in a single continuous take, the show resonated with audiences. It emerged as one of Netflix’s most-watched series ever and dominated the awards circuit, receiving 13 Emmy nominations and winning nine awards. Among the accolades, the show’s breakout star, Owen Cooper, earned an Emmy for his performance.

Exactly one year after the debut of Adolescence, Netflix has seen another title surge in popularity: a companion film that explores similar themes through the lens of documentary filmmaking. This new release, Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere, has rapidly climbed Netflix’s global charts, becoming one of the most-watched movies on the platform as of March 13, 2026.

Adolescence was inspired by the surge in knife crime across the U.K. The narrative centers on a teenager accused of murdering a schoolmate, unfolding through the perspectives of his parents, a social worker, and the police officers leading the investigation. The series confronts toxic masculinity and critiques the vast quantities of content teenage boys consume within the "manosphere," a corner of the internet known for influencers promoting misogyny, racism, and exploitative get-rich-quick schemes.

The companion film Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere sends the British documentarian Louis Theroux directly into this digital subculture. Over his career, Theroux has built a reputation for immersive reportage on fringe groups worldwide. This latest Netflix production marks his first collaboration with the streaming giant and tackles the manosphere’s influence on young men.

Despite its popularity with viewers, Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere has garnered mixed critical reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 69% approval rating, reflecting a divided response from critics. Nevertheless, the film’s immediate success on Netflix’s charts highlights the ongoing audience interest in content addressing social issues.

Adolescence remains a series in Netflix’s drama catalog. The story follows the Miller family after 13-year-old Jamie Miller is accused of murdering a fellow student. Filmed in an unbroken, continuous shot, the series delves into the emotional and procedural fallout from the incident, exploring themes of family dynamics, truth, and justice.

As the companion film Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere continues to attract viewers, Netflix’s strategy of pairing dramatic fiction with documentary appears to be paying off. Together, these works offer complementary perspectives on societal challenges.