The ‘harmful’ blackpill philosophy Netflix’s Adolescence didn’t tell you about

Netflix’s Adolescence introduced parents across the country to the terminology of the manosphere, from the red pill to the 80/20 rule.

As horrifying as these concepts are, they’re just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to online misogynist groups.

If you thought the views espoused by Jamie and his peers were terrifying, the ‘blackpill’ movement takes things to even greater extremes. Scarier still, their dangerous ideology is becoming more and more mainstream.

Like the red pill philosophy, it uses a scene from The Matrix – in which the main character, Neo, is shown the universe as it really is – to symbolise acknowledging the ‘truth’ of gender dynamics.

However, where ‘being redpilled’ means you agree with incel theories around what women find attractive, to be blackpilled is to believe that there’s nothing you can do to change your situation.

It suggests that a man’s social and romantic success is entirely determined by his genetics.

The philosophy takes an even darker turn, as followers of the blackpill believe their only options are to accept their fate or try to force societal change through violent means. 

The Anti-Defamation League likens this to a ‘death cult’, explaining: ‘Taking the black pill leaves a person with relatively few options: Giving up, or in incel parlance “LDAR” (Lie Down and Rot), suicide (incel forums are filled with suicidal fantasies and threats, as well as encouraging comments to those considering suicide) and “going ER.”’ (a reference to incel spree killer Elliot Rodger).

First popularised on the fringe blog Omega Virgin Revolt in 2011, the term has since spread widely across online forums and social media, with thousands of mentions on platforms like Reddit, 4chan, and incel-focused websites. 

Subreddits like r/Braincels and r/TheBlackPill gained tens of thousands of members before Reddit banned them for promoting misogyny and extremist views, but similar communities continue to appear in their place.

‘Many boys and young men are drawn into incel culture because it offers a sense of belonging during times of loneliness, rejection, or confusion about relationships and masculinity,’ Dan Guinness, managing director of Beyond Equality, tells Metro.

‘These communities present themselves as spaces of support but often deepen feelings of self-hatred, and resentment towards women, which feed on and extend more widespread ideas of misogyny. Online algorithms can pull vulnerable young people further into extreme content, reinforcing harmful beliefs.’

Despite the fact this is such an easy rabbit hole to fall into, Dan says the dangers are ‘significant’.

He explains: ‘Many young men caught in these spaces experience declining mental health, and some become desensitised to violent or dehumanising ideas about women.’

In extreme cases,  Dan notes, this has led to acts of real-world violence against women or self-harm. But even without physical violence, he warns, ‘the culture spreads harmful beliefs that damage relationships and emotional development’.

At a societal level, Dan explains, incel ideology fuels a broader backlash against gender equality, undermining efforts to build safer, more respectful communities. 

‘It reinforces harmful gender norms and distorts conversations about sex, consent, and relationships,’ he says. ‘As these views spread through online spaces, they normalise misogyny and hostility, particularly towards women who assert independence or reject male entitlement.’

Left unchecked, Dan warns, this culture risks growing into a larger movement that threatens social cohesion and public safety, especially among disaffected youth. ‘It is already influencing elements of mainstream culture, particularly online.’

The responsibility to address these issues is often left to schools, Dan explains, but teachers are overworked and under-prepared to tackle these cultural attitudes and adequately support individuals.

However, Dan adds: ‘Without intervention, frustration and resentment can prime boys for radicalisation.’

Dan points out that social media algorithms, designed to maximise engagement, are particularly dangerous as they rapidly funnel young men into extremist content. He explains: ‘Vulnerable boys, particularly those who are socially excluded and searching for answers, may be especially susceptible to this pipeline.’

Research shows that what may begin as seemingly harmless self-improvement or entertainment content quickly evolves into extreme misogyny.

He continues: ‘From a video about making friends by improving your looks to one about how women are naturally shallow, and so deny men their “right” to sex and love. Before long, boys are internalising extreme misogyny, including incel ideologies.’

A recent Amnesty polling on social media misogyny reveals these toxic views are no longer confined to isolated corners of the internet – they are now seeping into mainstream platforms. 

The polling found that 73% of Gen Z have encountered misogynistic content online, with half of them reporting it happens at least weekly. Nearly half of those surveyed also said it was having a detrimental effect on their mental health.

Chiara Capraro, Amnesty International UK’s gender justice programme director tells Metro: ‘Social media platforms and their engagement-driven algorithms play a huge role in this. Boys and young men are being actively pulled into these toxic spaces by algorithms that reward extreme, divisive, and inflammatory content. 

‘If a teenager watches one video about dating struggles, the algorithm quickly feeds them more, often escalating into misogynistic and incel content. Nearly two in five Gen Z men (41%) reported encountering content from Andrew Tate in the past month, compared to just over three in 10 women (31%).’

So, what can be done to tackle this issue? Tackling harmful ideologies like the ‘blackpill’ and online misogyny requires a multi-faceted approach.

According to Chiara, proven solutions are available, such as age-appropriate, inclusive Relationship and Sex Education (RSE).

She explains: ‘Discriminatory attitudes start at a very early age and, if not tackled, shape young people for the rest of their lives.

‘Relationship and Sex Education helps children and young people to understand and discuss the nature of gender stereotypes and misogynistic attitudes and develop the skills and confidence to build respectful relationships.’

While RSE is already part of the school curriculum, Chiara says: ‘The government must invest more resources to ensure teachers feel confident addressing these topics, especially given the increasingly challenging classroom environment.’

She also advocates for incorporating a critical approach to social media and recognising online abuse into the curriculum.

Dan agrees: ‘Schools need funding to invest in staff training and draw on expert support so that they can meaningfully address emotional literacy, media literacy and relationship skills.’

However, education isn’t confined to the classroom. Chiara explains that outdated ideas of masculinity should be challenged in schools and beyond. 

‘Young men should be encouraged to talk about emotions, develop empathy, and see that gender equality benefits everyone. Public figures, teachers, and parents all have a role to play in showing boys that masculinity does not have to mean dominance or resentment. 

‘Spoiler alert, that’s basically the conclusion of Netflix’s Adolescence – it takes a village, and we all live in that village.’

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